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Jt 
po 
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fit 


Oi 
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sk 
or 


Th 
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10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

28X 

3QX 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS: 


STUDIES  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BY 


Rev.  O.  C.  S.  WALLACE.  M.  A.        ^ 


»> 


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LiiLi"'r.-riia 


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.1U«J 


PHILADELPHIA : 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 
1420  Chestnut  Street. 


\ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1893,  bj  the 
AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 

_  - 


6^307 


PREFACE. 


The  thirty  chapters  of  this  volume  appeared  in  suc- 
cessive issues  of  the  "Young  Peoples  Union"  during 
1892-93,  and  were  used  as  Bible  lessons  by  Baptist  Young 
People's  Societies  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  In  the 
preparation  of  the  lessons,  an  attempt  was  made  to  present 
a  brief,  clear,  and  vivid  narrative  of  the  events  of  Christ's 
life,  such  as  might  be  used  advantageously  both  in  private 
reading  and  in  class-room  work.  Questions,  etc.,  for  use  in 
class  work  have  been  placed  at  the  end  of  the  chapters ;  but 
in  order  that  the  flow  of  the  narrative  might  be  interrupted 
as  little  as  possible,  no  reference  has  been  made  to  those  har- 
monistic  and  chronological  questions  on  which  scholars  differ, 
matters  of  this  kind  not  coming  properly  within  the  scope  of 
a  volume  of  this  character. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  book  may  find  its  sphere  as  a  manual 
for  use  in  Bible  classes  and  Young  People's  Societies,  and  as 
a  helper  of  those  parents  who,  following  the  example  of  our 
wise  and  godly  fathers,  endeavor  studiously  to  teach  their 
children  at  home  the  things  which  have  been  written  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures  for  our  learning. 

0.  c.  s.  w. 

ToHOKTO,  January  1, 1894. 


a  U  6'L- 


ANNOUNCEMENT. 


To  THE  Bafhst  Youno  Peopi^  op  America: 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  commend  the  ^'Life  of  Jesus," 
published  in  this  volume.  It  is  the  extension  of  a  series  of 
lessons  which  first  appeared  in  ih92-93  in  the  columns  of  the 
*' Young  Peoples  Union,"  and  constituted  a  part  of  the  initial 
studies  of  the  present  ** Christian  Culture  Courses"  of  the 
Baptist  Young  People's  Union  of  America.  The  lessons  were 
so  comprehensive  and  scholarly  in  their  presentation  of  the 
facts  of  the  Wonderful  Life,  and  withal  so  simple  in  language 
and  so  natural  in  their  narrative,  that  a  large  number  of 
pastors  and  leading  young  people's  workers  requested  that 
the  International  Union  approve  of  the  lessons  as  a  part  of 
the  *' Christian  Culture  Courses."  This  has  been  done,  and 
this  book  is  therefore  given  a  permanent  place  in  our  educa- 
tional system. 

Yours  sincerely,        - '  > 

Frank  L.  WiLKiNS,,  General  Secretary. 


CONTENTS. 


Lbmoh  'A«« 

I.  The  Holt  Land, .....  7 

II.  History  to  the  Time  or  Ghbibt,   ....  12 

III.  The  Jews  in  the  Time  ov  Ohsxst,  ....  18 

'  lY.  The  Birth  of  Jesus, 24 

•    y.  Incidents  ov  the  Infancy, 80 

VI.  Egypt  AND  Nazareth, 86 

VII.  Childhood  and  Youth 41 

VIII.  The  Baptism, 46 

IX.  The  Temptation, 60 

X.  Jesus  Made  Known, 66 

XI.  The  Ministry  Begun, fl& 

XII.  The  Ministry  in  Judea, 67 

XIII.  The  Ministry  in  Samaria, 72 

XIV.  The  Ministry  in  Galilee  Begun,  ....  77 

XV.  The  Beginning  in  Capernaum, 82 

XVI.  The  First  Preaching  Tour  in  Galilke,  .  87 

6 


C                                           CONTE-NTS. 

t 

Lksson 

PAOB 

XVII.  Orowino  Hostility  of  thb  Leaders, 
XVIII.  The  Cuoosinq  of  the  Twelve,    .    .    . 

92 

98 

104 

XIX.  Miracles  and  Mercies, 

XX.  A  Crisis  ik  the  Galilean  Ministry, 

110 

XXI.  The  First  Parable, .    . 

117       ^ 

XXII.  A  Day  of  Miracles,     ....       .    . 

122 

« 

XXIII.  The  Galilean  Ministry  Ended,    .    . 

127 

XXIV.  The  Withdrawal  from  Galilee,  .    . 

186 

XXV..  Public  Tkachino  Besumed,  ^jiv«pijri  .^.    . 

146 

;  XXVI.  The  Ministry  in  Prrea,  :Vi\*>5va^?'  • 

?^1      . 

164 

XXVII.  Thb  Ministry  in  Perea  Concluded,  . 

•            • 

162 

XXVIII.  The  First  Three  Days  of  Passion  Week, 

170 

■ 

XXIX,  The  Last  Days  of  Passion  Week,    . 

•            • 

177 

XXX.  The  Forty  Days,  .  ,^,;  **(  ^ 

•            • 

186 

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' 

THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


THE  HOLY  LAND. 

Area.— On  the  map  of  the  world,  Palestine  occupies  but  a 
email  space.  The  distance  from  Dan  in  the  north  to  Bcer- 
sheba  in  the  south  is  barel}'  one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  It 
is  about  twenty  miles  from  Dan  to  Tyre,  less  than  thirty  from 
the  sea  of  Galilee  to  the  bay  of  Acclio,  and  not  fifty  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Jordan  to  the  Mediterranean.  And  yet 
this  narrow  strip  of  country,  only  about  one-third  the  size  of 
the  little  province  of  Nova  Scotia,  has  been  the  theatre  of 
the  most  momentous  events  in  the  history  of  the  world,  and 
though  now  occupied  by  a  languid  and  scattered  population, 
still  surpasses  in  interest  every  other  portion  of  the  earth. 

Configuration. — Palestine  is  a  country  of  lowlands  and 
highlands,  the -latter  predominating.  In  the  north,  Lebanon, 
' '  white  mou  n  ti  in, ' '  the  Mont  Blanc  of  Palestine,  has  an  average 
elevation  of  from  six  thousand  to  eight  thousand  feet.  Jesus 
crossed  this  range  when  he  left  the  region  of  Tyre  and  Sidon 
to  avoid  the  crowds  that  gathered  on  account  of  the  healing 
of  the  Syro-phoenician's  daughter.  Not  far  from  Lebanon, 
just  across  the  valley  eastward,  great  Hermon  rises  to  a 
height  of  ten  thousand  feet.  This  is  the  most  conspicuous 
mountain  in  Palestine  or  Syria.  From  its  stet  o  slopes  flow 
the  waters  which  form  the  sources  of  the  Jorc'  n.  Its  head 
bears  a  crown  of  snow  perpetually.     Hermon  '  ds  named  the 

7 


8 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


(I , 


** elevated  "  by  the  anoienta,  and  is  called  the  "snowy  niotin- 
tatu"  by  the  moderns.  A  spur  of  this  mountain  wus  proba- 
bly the  scene  of  tlie  transfiguration  of  Jesus. 

The  highest  points  of  the  tableland  which  extends  the 
whole  length  of  Palestine  are,  beginning  from  tho  soutii : 
Hebron,  throe  thousand  feet  above  the  sea ;  Jerusulcui,  two 
thousand  six  hundred  ;  Mount  of  Olives,  two  thousand  seven 
hundred ;  Bethel,  two  thousand  four  hundred ;  Ebal  and 
Qerizim,  two  thousand  seven  hundred ;  Little  Hermon  and 
Tabor,  one  thousand  nine  hundred  ;  Sufed,  two  thousand 
eight  hundred  ;  and  Jebel  Jermuk,  four  thousand.  Stand- 
ing on  Gerizim,  one  can  see  the  dunes  near  the  ancient  Joppa, 
the  ridge  of  Curmel,  the  bay  stretching  away  toward  the  north, 
the  sea  of  Galilee,  and  can  trace  the  winding  course  of  the 
Jordan. 

This  central  tableland  is  like  a  narrow  sea  of  hills  broken 
by  countlesij  waves.  Valle3's  run  east  to  the  Jordan  and  west 
to  the  Mediterranean.  Through  these  the  waters  of  the  high- 
lands rush  in  noisy  torrents  to  the  river  and  the  sea.  On  tho 
eastern  side,  the  valleys  are  remarkably  steep  and  rugged. 
These  gorges,  besides  serving  as  drains,  furnish  opportunity 
for  roudways,  and  without  them  cowmuiiication  with  the 
hills  would  be  almost  impossible.  Anciently,  the  villages, 
towns,  and  cities  were  built  on  the  hills.  Throughout  the 
country  to-day  there  is  scarcely  an  eminence  without  its  ruins 
to  speak  of  the  former  an!  better  days.  The  Jew  lifted  up 
his  eyes  unto  the  mountains,  whence  came  his  help,  and  hav- 
ing chosen  for  his  dwelling  a  site  difficult  of  access  and  ensy 
to  defend,  long  found  his  native  land  a  stronghold  and  refuge 
while  the  tides  of  war  engulfed  the  nations  around  him. 

Nearly  opposite  the  sea  of  Galilee,  the  highlands  of  Pales- 
tine are  broken  by  the  plain  of  Esdraelon,  which  extends 
from  the  Jordan  to  the  3Iediterranean.  This  is  the  most 
illustrious  of  Palestinian  lowlands,  partly  because  of  its  won- 
derful fertility,  but  chiefly  because  it  has  been  the  battlefield 


I 


THE   HOLY  LAND. 


9 


of  tlio  ouuntry.  Hero  Saul  and  Jonathan  full ;  and  David, 
lunionting  thoir  untiuuly  dcatli,  prayed  that  ncighborinK 
Gilboii  might  bo  dewlcss  forever.  Nazureth,  where  JesuB 
spent  nearly  all  of  the  first  thirty  years  of  his  life ;  Gana, 
where  lie  perfurnicd  his  first  mirucle ;  and  Nain,  where  he 
raised  tu  life  the  young  wan  who  was  the  only  son  of  hia 
widowed  mother,  were  near  this  plain. 

South  of  Ksdraelon  abrupt  Mount  Carmel  interrupts  the 
maritime  plain  which,  but  for  this,  would  extend  the  whole 
length  of  Palestine.  The  plain  adjaeent  to  Carmel  on  the 
south  is  called  the  plain  of  Sharon.  Next  to  this  lies  the 
plain  of  Philistia.  While  in  the  earlier  history  of  the 
country,  this  long  strip  of  fertile  lowland  was  of  cc  >  iderable 
importance,  it  is  not  connected  with  the  story  of  Christ's  life, 
his  journeys  apparently  not  having  reached  as  far  westward 
as  its  villages  and  cities.  ,     . 

The  Jordan  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  physical 
features  of  Palestine.  Its  sources  are  found  in  the  valley 
between  Heruion  au<l  Lebanon.  Its  course  is  through  a 
great  natural  trench  extending  southward  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles,  and  having  tlircc  expansions,  the  first  and 
suiallcst  bcinjT  Lake  Meroiii,  the  second  the  sea  of  Galilee, 
and  the  third  and  largest  the  Dead  Sea,  in  which  the  river  is 
lost.  Merom  measures  about  three  miles  across  in  either 
direction,  and  is  surrounded  by  swamps.  Galilee,  called  also 
Gennesaret  and  Tiberias,  is  about  thirteen  miles  long  by  six 
wide.  In  the  time  of  Christ,  this  little  sea  abounded  in  fish, 
and  was  tl:e  scene  of  a  great  fishing  industry.  Many  of  the 
miracles  and  teachings  of  our  Lord  are  connected  with  Gali- 
lee. Twice  he  stilled  its  stormy  waters ;  once  he  walked  upon 
it ;  and  it  was  here  that  Peter  caught  the  fish  which  carried 
in  its  mouth  the  coin  with  which  the  temple  tax  of  Jesus  and 
himself  was  paid.  The  Dead  Sea,  or  Salt  Sea,  is  about 
forty-five  miles  long  by  ten  wide.  Its  surface  is  in  round 
numbers  one  thousand  three  hundred  feet  below  the  level  of 


.■f. 


;„/. 


10 


THE   LIFE   OF  JESUS. 


the  Mediterranean,  and  in  tlie  northern  part  one  thousand 
three  hundred  feet  in  deptli.  Its  waters  arc  remarkably  salt 
and  heavy.  It  has  no  outlet.  Owing  to  the  great  evapora- 
tion, the  surface  is  always  covered  with  a  haze.  Adjacent  to 
the  steep  descent  of  the  western  shore  lies  a  tract  of  barren 
and  desolate  land  about  thirty -five  miles  in  length  by  nine  or 
ten  in  width.  This  is  that  wilderness  of  Judea  which  is 
associated  with  the  life  of  John  the  Baptiat,  and  possibly 
with  the  temptation  of  Jesus.      • 

Flora  and  Fauna. — The  snows  never  leave  the  summits  of 
Lebanon  and  Hermon  ;  tropical  heat  prevails  in  the  valley  of 
the  Jordan  ;  while  on  the  tablelands  the  climate  is  that  of  the 
temperate  zone.  It  therefore  comes  to  pass  that  in  this 
extraordinary  little  country  vegetable  products  are  found  rep- 
resenting nearly  all  parts  of  the  habitable  earth.  Nowhere 
else  within  the  same  area  is  there  so  great  a  variety.  The 
eyes  of  Jesus  were  familiar  with  the  oak,  walnut,  maple,  and 
ash ;  the  vine,  olive,  and  fig ;  tlie  ivy  and  the  hawthornc ; 
the  apple,  pear,  and  plum  ;  wheat,  barley,  rye,  peas ;  pitiks, 
tulips,  sweet-william,  chick-weed ;  with  mustard,  tares, 
thistles,  and  thorns. 

He  was  acquainted  with  sheep,  oxen,  asses,  dog.s,  and  cats. 
He  noted  the  flight  of  vultures  and  eagles ;  heard  the  hooting 
of  the  owl,  the  drumming  of  the  partridge,  and  the  song  of 
ths  nightingale  ;  watched  while  doves  flew  or  fed  ;  while  gulls 
floated  upon  the  air,  and  swallows  flashed  to  and  fro  ;  heard 
the  twittering  of  the  sparrows  and  the  cackling  of  hens  ; 
observed  butterflies  as  they  flitted  from  flower  to  flower; 
avoided  the  sting  of  the  hornet ;  saw  the  works  of  the  ingeni- 
ous spider,  the  restless  ant,  and  the  busy  bee.  When  he  "  was 
with  the  wild  beasts"  in  the  wilderness,  during  the  tempta- 
tion, of  those  beasts  which  might  have  lurked  near,  or 
by  their  fierce  cries  added  to  the  horror  of  his  experience, 
were  the  panther,  hyena,  jackal,  \olf,  and  boar. 

Location. — While  Palestine  was  sjiut  oflF  from  Europe  by 


THE   HOLY   LAND. 


11 


8ca  am^  mountnitis,  and  from  Asia  and  Africa  by  dt-serts,  a 
fact  which  had  a  vast  influence  upon  the  history  of  the  Jewish 
nation  during  tlic  one  thousand  years  immediately  following 
the  occupation  of  the  land  in  the  time  of  Joshua,  its  loca- 
tion was  peculiarly  adapted  to  make  it  the  birthplace  of  a 
religion  which  was  ordained  to  conquer  all  nations.  It  was 
the  centre  of  the  known  world.  Populous  northern  Africa 
was  accessible.  The  Greek  cities  oF  Asia  Minor,  and  the 
lloman  towns  in  many  localities,  each  with  its  Jewish  colony, 
were  within  reach.  By  the  time  of  Christ's  death,  strong 
currents  of  influence  were  flowing  from  Alexandria  and 
Antioch  ;  Home  was  the  mistress  of  the  world  ;  the  Mediter- 
ranean was  the  ni^hway  of  the  nations.  To  neighboring 
Antioch  and  Alexandria,  and  to  more  distant  Rome,  there- 
fore, the  Christians  could  easily  go,  bearing  that  word  of  life 
which  they  had  learned  from  the  lips  of  their  divine  Lord. 


Note. — No  one  can  follow  intelligently  the  life  of  Christ  who 
is  ignorant  of  the  geography  of  the  land  in  which  he  lived  and 
died.  Students  are  therefore  advised  to  give  careful  attention 
to  this  lesson.  Use  the  map  a  great  deal.  The  eye  teaches 
quickly 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 
1.  Draw  a  map  of  Palestine,  locating  the  lakes  and  the  chief 
mountain  peaks,  plains,  and  cities.  2.  What  is  the  area  of  Pales- 
tine west  of  the  Jordan?  3.  What  are  the  dimensions  of  Lake 
Morom,  the  sea  of  Galilee,  and  the  Dead  Sea?  4.  Compare  the 
heights  of  Hermon,  Lebanon,  Gerizim,  and  the  mount  of  Olives. 
5.  Trace  the  course  of  the  Jordan  from  its  source  to  the  Dead 
Sea.  6.  What  are  the  peculiarities  of  the  Dead  Sea?  7.  Near 
what  famous  plain  was  the  childhood  of  Jpsus  spent?  8.  Name 
some  of  the  trees,  animals,  and  birds  with  which  Jesus  was 
probably  familiar?  9.  How  did  the  locnticn  of  Palestine  favor 
the  spread  of  the  gospel?  10.  Spend  thirty  minutes  more  than 
you  intended  in  studying  the  map. 


^"^  f 


n. 

HISTORY  TO  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST. 

The  Early  Period.— From  the  beginning  Palestine  was 
divinely  set  apart  for  the  Hebrews. 

When  the  Most  High  gave  the  nations  their  inheritance, 

When  he  separated  the  children  of  Israel, 

He  set  the  bounds  of  the  peoples 

According  to  the  numher  of  the  children  of  Israel. 

,  (Deut.  32  :  8). 

Among  the  Egyptian  hieroglyphi.'s  there  are  numerous 
allusions  to  events  which  occurred  in  Palestine  in  connection 
with  Egyptian  warfare.  There  are  references  to  the  "  rebels 
of  the  Jebusites,"  "  the  Hittites  in  the  plains  of  the  north," 
"  the  cutters  of  Tyre,"  etc.  These  records  carry  us  far  back 
into  the  patriarchal  period. 

The  land  was  named  Canaan  from  Canaan,  the  son  of  Ham, 
whose  descendants,  the  Jebusites,  Amorites,  Hittites,  Ger- 
gashites,  Hivites,  and  others  (Gen.  10  :  15-19).  occupied  it. 
Sidon,   Canaan's  eldest  son,    founded  Sidon  in   Phoenicia. 

The  site  of  Jerusalem  was  the  stronghold  of  the  Jebusites, 
who  were  not  dislodged  until  the  time  of  David  (Josh.  15  :  63  ; 
2  Sam.  5  :  6,  7).  The  Amorites  were  numerous  and  power- 
ful, and  scattered  themselves  over  much  of  the  land.  The 
Hivites  occupied  a  portion  of  central  Palestine,  Shechem 
being  their  capital  in  the  time  of  Joshua.  They  also  had 
settlements  farther  south.  The  men  who  duped  Joshua  so 
cunningly  after  the  fall  of  Jericho  and  Ai  (Josh,  9  :  3-27)  were 
Hivites.  The  Hittites  were  a  powerful  tribe  when  the  Israel- 
ites took  possession  of  Canaan,  and  are  of  especial  historic 
12 


HISTORY  TO  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST. 


13 


interest,  because  oi  their  connection  with  ancient  Egypt. 
Hebron  appears  to  have  been  their  capital. 

Besides  these,  there  were  in  the  hmd  in  the  beginning  of 
the  historical  period,  the  Rephaini,  Zuzini,  Eniiu,  and  Avim, 
remnants  perhaps  of  an  aboriginal  people  distinguished  for 
vastness  of  stature  and  strength.  It  may  be  that  Goliath  was 
one  of  the  last  of  this  colossal  race. 

The  Period  of  the  Judges.— Joshua  conquered  the  pagan 
inhabitants  of  Canaan,  and  apportioned  the  territory  among 
the  tribes  of  Israel.  But  the  Phoenicians  still  held  their  sea- 
ports in  the  northwest,  and  the  Philistines  retained  their  plain 
in  the  southwest.  Many  strongholds,  also,  in  dilFerent  parts 
of  the  land  remained  in  possession  of  the  former  inhabitants. 
Out  of  this  situation  troubles  arose.  These  idolatrous  neigh- 
bors were  both  foes  and  tempters  of  the  Israelites.  This  was 
a  wild  and  half-savage  period,  relieved  by  occasional  exhibi- 
tions of  righteousness  and  of  great  exploits  which  served  to  cast 
a  lustre  on  a  few  choice  souls.  But  probably  tlie  land  never 
knew  darker  years  than  many  in  this  period  ;  years  which 
appear  all  the  darker  because  the  light  of  godliness  was 
occasionally  seen  amid  the  terrible  gloom. 

The  Early  Kingly  Period.— After  Samuel,  the  last, 
greatest,  and  best  of  the  judges,  came  Saul,  the  first  of  the 
kings.  During  his  reign  the  land  was  reddened  by  the  blood 
of  multitudes  who  fell  iu  his  battles  with  the  Philistines, 
Ammonites,  Moabites,  Edouiites,  and  Amalekitcs.  The 
reign  of  David  was  also  a  period  of  war  and  bloodshed,  but 
of  greater  power  and  glory  for  the  Israelites  than  they  had 
known  before.  By  his  splendid  military  skill  and  prowess,  he 
was  able  to  bring  order  out  of  wide-spread  chaos.  Both 
neighboring  and  distant  enemies  were  conquered.  In  his 
reign  there  was  a  near  approach  to  that  sovereignty  "from 
the  river  of  Egypt  unto  the  great  river,  the  river  Euphrates," 
included  in  the  promise  made  to  Abraham.  Solomon  came 
into  a  splendid  heritage,  which  he  adorned  and  enriched  with 


14 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUSv 


the  "  victories  of  peace.'"  In  his  reign  the  Hebrew  kingdom 
reached  the  climax  of  its  greatness. 

The  Lnter  Kingly  Period  —Before  the  death  of  Solomon 
the  mutterings  of  a  storm  were  heard.  The  king  had  lapsed 
into  a  luxurious  and  extravagant  life.  Prosperity  had  van- 
ished before  oppressive  taxes.  There  were  wars  and  rumors 
of  wars.  Unfortunately  for  the  nation,  Solomon  the  Wise 
was  succeeded  by  Rehoboam  the  Foolish.  The  kingdom  was 
rent  in  twain,  Jeroboam  becoming  king  of  the  ten  northern 
tribes,  while  Benjamin  and  Judah  adhered  to  Rehoboam.  After 
this  catastrophe  the  land  was  the  scene  of  almost  continual 
unrest.  The.  two  kingdoms  fought  against  each  other  and 
against  heathen  foes.  The  northern  kingdom  had  a  succes- 
sion of  wicked  sovereigns,  while  the  southern  kingdom  fared 
only  a  little  better.  Idolatry  gained  frequent  masteries. 
The  people  were  corrupted,  and  again  and  again  the  dis- 
pleasure of  God  was  embodied  in  terrible  calamities.  These 
calamities  reached  their  culmination  in  the  exile  of  the  Jews 
from  their  native  land.  The  northern  kingdom  suffered  first. 
About  seven  and  a  half  centuries  before  Christ,  its  people 
were  carried  away  captive  by  the  Assyrians,  and  foreign  and 
pagan  colonists  were  put  in  their  places.  These,  mixing  with 
such  Jews  as, had  been  left  behind  or  straggled  back,  adopted 
a  portion  of  the  Jewish  law  and  ritual,  and  became  the  pro- 
genitors of  the  Samaritans,  who  in  the  time  of  Christ  were 
on  such  unfriendly  terms  with  the  Jews.  At  this  time,  a 
great  part  of  Palestine  became  a  province  of  the  Assyrian 
empire,  and  at  a  later  date  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
Babylonians.  About  six  hundred  years  before  Christ,  the 
Babylonians  took  Jerusalem  and  carried  the  people  of  the 
southern  kingdom  into  captivity.  Thus  the  whole  of  Pales- 
tine lost  its  nationality,  and  became  a  part  of  the  Babylonian 
empire.  The  separation  of  the  Jews  into  tribal  divisions  was 
never  known  again.  "v;        ;! 

The  Period  of  Exile.— The  Jews  being  gone,  there  was 


■r:,2.. 


HISTORY   TO  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST. 


15 


nothing  to  hinder  those  ancient  tiibetr  whfch  had  been  driven 
out  of  the  land  in  the  daj«  of  Joshua,  from  returning  to  the 
valleys  and  hilkrides  once  occupied  by  their  ancestors.  That 
many  of  them  did  return  is  probable.  Galilee  seems  to  have 
drawn  the  greater  number.  In  the  time  of  the  Maccabees, 
the  heathen  population  of  Galilee  greatly  outnumbered  the 
Jewish. 

The  people  of  the  northern  kingdom  never  returned  to 
Palestine,  and  are  spoken  of  to  this  day  as  the  "Lost  Ten 
Tribes."  Cyrus,  of  Persia,  or  Elam,  in  the  first  year  of  his 
reign,  permitted  the  captives  from  the  southern  kingdom,  who 
had  been  carried  away  by  Nebuchadnezzar,  to  return,  and 
Zerubbabel,  their  leader,  rebuilt  the  temple.  Under  the 
direction  of  Ezra  and  Nehemiah,  the  ancient  worship  was 
re-established,  nearly  a  century  later ;  but  the  land  was  still  a 
province  of  the  eastern  empire,  and  never  again  knew  a 
Jewish  national  life,  except  for  a  brief  period  under  the 
Maccabees. 

The  Maocabean  Period  — The  conquests  of  Alexandria,  in 
the  fourth  century  before  Christ,  brought  the  Holy  Land 
under  Greek  rule.  On  his  death  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  the 
Seleucidae  dynasty  of  Syria,  but  was  seized  soon  by  the 
dynasty  of  the  Ptolemies  of  Egypt.  Then  war  broke  out 
between  Egypt  and  Syria,  and  Palestine  was  the  battlefield. 
In  198  B.  c,  the  Jews  threw  oflF  the  yoke  of  Egypt  and  be- 
came subject  to  Syria.  During  all  this  period  the  Jewish 
government  was  ecclesiastical,  the  high  priest  being  the  chief 
ruler.  When  Antiochus  Epiphanes  became  king  of  Syria, 
he  treated  the  Jews  with  great  barbarity,  and  attempted  to 
abolish  their  form  of  worship.  Circumcision  was  forbidden, 
the  people  were  compelled  to  eat  swine's  flesh,  and  the 
temple  was  dedicated  to  the  Olympian  Jove.  These  outrages 
stirred  the  Jews  to  heroic  opposition,  and  led  by  the  priestly 
family  of  the  Maccabees,  they  achieved  their  independence. 
Judea,  Samaria,  Galilee,  and  a  nart  of  the  country  beyond 


16 


THE  LIFE  OF  JEBUS. 


I 


Jordan,  came  under  their  rule.  The  power  gained  so  hero- 
ioally,  and  against  such  odds,  was  held  with  varying  succeus 
until  at  length,  owing  to  civil  dissensions,  Rome  interfered 
and  took  possession  of  the  country.  After  some  years, 
Herod,  youngest  son  of  Antipater  of  Edom,  was  made  king 
of  Judea,  holding  his  sovereignty  tributary  to  Rome.  His 
wife  was  Mariamne,  of  the  Maocabean  fuuiily.  In  this  uiar- 
riage,  a  descendant  of  Jacob  became  the  wife  of  a  descendant 
of  Esau. 

During  the  Maccabean  period,  the  Jews  showed  a  heroism 
which  has  never  been  excelled  by  any  people.  There  was 
also  a  religious  revival  of  far-reaching  influence.  Zeal  for 
the  iuw  and  the  traditions  of  the  fathers  grew  greatly,  and 
that  social  and  religious  condition,  which  is  revealed  in  the 
Gospels,  ^as  brought  into  existence. 

Palestine,  after  the  fall  of  the  Maccabees,  remained  &  part 
of  the  Roman  empire.  At  various  convenient  points  through- 
out the  land  tax-gatherers  were  stationed  to  collect  the  tribute 
money  which  the  Jews  were  compelled  to  pay  to  their  con- 
querors. Meanwhile  the  temple  stood  in  Jerusalem  in  that 
splendor  to  which  Herod  brought  it,  and  all  the  rites  of 
religion  were  carefully  observed.  Hither  the  worshipers 
came  up,  not  only  from  all  parts  of  Palestine,  but  also  from 
many  distant  cities,  whither  they  had  gone  to  improve  their 
worldly  condition  ;  and  here  at  length  appeared  that  Babe  of 
Bethlehem,  of  whom  Simeon,  as  he  held  him  in  his  arms, 
said : 

Now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart,  O  Lord,  ;     "  ^ 

According  to  thy  word,  in  peace ;  * 

For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation  51 

"Which  thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  peoples ; 
A  light  for  revelation  to  the  Gentiles, 
And  the  glory  of  thy  people,  Israel. 

NoTK. — If  this  lesson  is  learned,  other  lessons  will  be  more 


HISTOBY  TO  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST. 


17 


Interesting  on  that  account    Whatever  is  dull  ci*  difficult  should 
receive  double  attention. 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Look  up  the  names  of  the  sons  of  Canaan,  and  find  on  the 
map  the  places  where  their  descendants  settled.  2.  What  con- 
jecture has  been  made  concerning  the  aborigines  of  Palestine? 
8.  By  whom  were  the  descendants  of  Canaan  driven  out  of  the 
land?  4.  How  nearly  complete  was  this  expulsion?  5.  Name 
the  kings  who  reigned  in  the  early  kingly  period.  6.  In  whose 
reign  was  the  area  of  the  Jewish  kingdom  the  greatest?  7. 
What  was  the  condition  of  the  country  after  the  division  of  the 
kingdom?  8.  What  became  of  the  northern  kingdom?  9. 
When  were  the  people  of  the  southern  kingdom  carried  into 
captivity?  10.  Under  whose  direction  was  the  temple  rebuilt? 
11.  Who  attempted  to  abMish  the  Hebruw  worship,  by  what 
means,  and  with  what  results  ?  12.  What  led  to  the  decline  of  the 
Maccabean  supremacy?  13.  Who  was  Herod;  whom  did  he 
marry?  14.  What  relation  did  Herod,  as  king  of  Judea,  sus- 
tain to  Rome?  15.  Go  over  this  story  aloud,  if  possible  in  the 
presence  of  some  one  who  will  listen  attentively  to  it. 


in 


THE  JEWS  IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST.  ^ 

The  Sisperaion.— In  the  time  of  Christ  the  Je\irs  were 
scattered  over  all  the  known  world,  the  number  outside  of 
Palestine  being  gr(.>ater  than  the  number  within  it.  Those 
wiio  returned  with  Zerubbabel,  Ezra,  and  Nehemiah  wore  few 
compared  with  those  who  remained  in  the  Eastern  country. 
Doubtless  many  of  those  who  refused  to  return  were  among 
the  richest  of  the  people,  whose  possessions  or  business 
interests  were  of  such  extent  or  character  thnt  a  removal 
would  have  been  calamitous  to  them  commercially.  By  the 
time  of  Christ  these  Jews  had  increased  to  a  great  multi- 
tude, and  in  their  own  eyes,  were  the  very  Hebrews  of 
the  Hebrews.  Recalling  the  terms  of  the  promise  of 
'Abraham,  and  the  extent  of  David's  kingdom,  they  held 
that  they  were  within  the  borders  of  the  Holy  Land,  and 
instances  were  not  wanting  in  which  they  claimed  for  their 
territory  a  sanctity  even  exceeding  that  of  Palestine.  They 
were  jealous  for  the  Jewish  pnst,  and  while  prosperous  in  the 
present,  looked  for  a  better  day  when  the  promises  made  to 
the  fathers  should  be  gloriously  fulfilled.  Representatives  of 
this  great  Jewish  population  were  present  in  Jerusalem  on 
the  day  of  Pentecost  in  the  persons  of  "Parthians,  Medes, 
Elan)it(es,  and  the  dwellers  in  Mesopotaiiiia." 

In  Egypt,  also,  a  great  multitude  of  Jews  had  their  home. 
Nearly  one  half  of  the  population  of  Alexandria,  which  in 
the  time  of  Christ  had  three  hundred  thousand  free  citizens, 
besides  slaves,  were  Jews,  while  not  less  than  a  million  of 
that  race  dwelt  in  the  valley  of  the  Nile.  The  Jews  of  Egypt 
diflFered  from  their  brethren  in  the  East=  Their  eyes  were 
IS 


THE  JEWS  IN  THE  TIME  OF  CHRIST. 


19 


moire  upon  the  present  than  the  past.  They  were  greatly 
influenced  by  the  Greek  civilization  with  which  they  came 
into  contact.  It  was  in  Egypt  that  the  Septuagint,  the 
Greek  translation  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures  was  made,  a 
translation  which  very  widely  supplanted  the  original,  and 
from  which  quotations  were  commonly  made  by  the  New 
Testament  writera.  Among  those  who  heard  Peter's  sermon 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost  there  were  Jews  from  "Egypt  and 
the  parts  of  Libya  about  Cyrene." 

Jews  were  found  also  in  Italy,  in  Greece,  and  in  all  the 
populous  cities  of  Asia  Minor.  It  will  be  interesting  to 
observe  at  this  point,  that  Jesus  personally  reached  a  com- 
paratively small  number  of  the  Jews  of  his  day. 

Although  dwelling  with  Gentiles,  the  Jews  were  still  a 
"separate  people."  Whether  their  liomes  were  in  Alex- 
andria, Babylon,  or  Rome,  in  a  very  peculiar  sense  Jerusa- 
lem was  to  them  "The  City."  The  temple  was  the  centre  of 
their  religious  life.  From  all  parts  of  the  known  world 
foreign-born  Jews  came  up  to  the  annual  festivals.  Not  only 
did  the  revenues  of  the  temple  increase  greatly  by  the  offerings 
of  these  prosperous  pilgrims,  but  by  them  the  people  nt  large 
must  have  made  no  slight  gains.  The  exchangiivi^  of  the 
foreign  coins,  which  the  pilgrims  carried,  for  Jewish  money, 
created  a  business  both  lucrative  and  extensive.  And  what- 
ever may  have  been  given  to  the  pilgrims  without  cliurue,  in 
harmony  with  the  Jewish  idea  of  hospitality,  the  demand  of 
the  worshipers  for  sacrificial  animals  and  for  sustenance 
while  they  journeyed  through  the  land,  or  tarried  in  the  Holy 
City,  must  have  made  an  excellent  market  for  the  increase  of 
the  fields,  herds,  and  flocks. 

Roman  Rule.— Herod  the  Great  died  not  long  after  the 
birth  of  Christ.  His  attempt  to  destroy  the  new-born  King 
of  the  Jews,  by  ordering  all  the  male  children  in  Bethlehem 
under  two  years  of  age  to  be  slaughtered,  gives  a  hint  of  his 
character.    Though  he  was  the  ruler  of  a  territory  equal  in 


90 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESC8. 


airea  to  that  over  which  David  reigned,  he  was  still  only  a 
voiisal  of  Borne. 

'  In  the  division  of  the  kingdom  which  occurred  upon  the 
death  of  Herod,  Judea  fell  to  Archelaus,  and  Galilee  to 
Herod  Antipus.  After  reigning  ten  years^  with  the  title  of 
ethnarch,  Archelaus  was  banished  to  Gaul.  He  died  when 
Jesus  was  about  ten  years  old.  Upon  the  banishment  of 
Archelaus,  Judea  was  annexed  to  Syria,  and  thereafter  was 
ruled  by  a  procurator,  who  was  subject  to  the  governor  of 
Syria.  The  first  of  these  procurators  was  Coponius ;  the 
second,  Marcus  Ambivius;  the  third,  Annius  Kufus ;  the 
fourth,  Valerius  Gratus ;  and  the  fifth,  Pontius  Pilate,  by 
whom  Jesus  was  sentenced  to  death.  The  headquarters  of 
the  procurator  was  at  Gaesarea.  As  the  representative  of 
the  emperor,  he  had  the  power  of  life  and  death  over  his 
subjects. 

The  reign  of  Herod  Antipas  as  tetrarch  over  Galilee  and 
Perea  was  long  and  base.  John  the  Baptist  rebuked  his 
infamous  marriage  with  the  beautiful  Hcrodias,  the  wife  of 
his  half-brother  Herod  Philip  I.,  and  was  rewarded  by  impris' 
onment  and  death.  Herod  was  in  Jerusalem  attending  the 
Passover  at  the  time  of  Christ's  crucifixion.  About  nine 
years  later,  urged  by  Herodias,  he  went  to  Borne  to  gain  the 
title  of  king,  but  received  instead  a  decree  of  perpetual  ban- 
ishment.   He  died  in  exile.       ^  '  .»  v^:;  •-.  •:  R/  :s^: 

Herod  the  Great,  who  ordered  the  death  of  the  Bethlehem 
babes ;  Archelaus,  who  was  like  his  father ;  Herod  Antipas, 
who  beheaded  John  the  Baptist ;  and  Pontius  Rlate,  who 
sent  Jesus  Christ  to  crucifixion,  are  the  representatives  of 
Bome,  ruling  over  the  Jews  whom  we  meet  as  we  follow  the 
story  of  Christ's  life. 

OflSces  for  the  collection  of  the  tribute  exacted  from  the 
Jews  by  their  Boman  masters  were  found  in  every  town. 
The  collectors  were  called  publicans,  and  being  looked  upon 
as  hirelings  of  hated  masters,  as  well  as  themselves  oppr^- 


THE  JEWS  IN  THE   TIME  OP  CHRIST. 


21 


sore  and  renegades,  were  detested  by  the  people.  Tiio  con- 
scientious opposition  of  many  Jews  to  the  payment  of  tribute 
led  to  frequent  disturbances  and  occasional  revoltn. 

The  Frieitl.— During  the  Maocubean  period  the  high 
priest  was  both  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  head  of  the  nation. 
But  when  the  Herodian  family  came  into  power,  under  the 
Romans,  a  groat  change  occurred.  Aristobulus,  the  last 
high  priest  of  the  Maccabean  family,  was  murdered  by  Herod 
the  Great.  During  the  next  one  hundred  and  seven  yean 
there  were  no  less  than  twenty-eight  high  priests,  chang'es 
being  made  in  the  office  whenever  it  suited  the  caprice  of  the 
ruler.  The  gospel  history  brings  into  notice  Annas,  the  ninth 
after  Aristobulus,  and  Caiaphas,  his  son-in-law.  The  former 
was  a  cunning  and  unscrupulous  man,  whose  revenues  from 
that  sacrilegious  traffic  in  the  temple  which  Christ  on  two 
occasions  rebuked  so  vigorously,  must  have  been  immense. 
Even  after  completing  his  term  of  office,  Annas  retained  his 
influence,  and  was  still  called  high  priest.  Caiaphas,  who  was 
actually  high  priest  when  Christ  was  taken  before  the  San- 
hedrin,  was  a  worldly  nnd  brutal  man.  During  all  this  period 
the  high  priests,  on  account  of  their  subserviency  to  the 
Homans,  and  their  gluttonous,  licentious,  and  cruel  lives, 
shared  with  the  publicans  in  the  detestation  of  the  people. 

Of  priests  of  the  various  orders  it  is  stlpposed  that  Judea 
contained  twenty  thousand  in  the  time  of  Christ.  Tliese 
took  turns  in  serving  in  the  temple.  During  their  term  of 
service  they  lived  in  rooms  in  the  temple  building ;  at  othelr 
times  they  lived  with  their  families,  either  in  Jerusalem,  or  in 
one  of  the  neighboring  towns  set  apart  for  their  use.  The 
priests  were  divided  into  twenty-four  courses,  each  of  which 
was  on  duty  at  the  temple  twice  a  year  for  a  period  of  one 
week.  The  heads  of  these  courses  were  called  chief  priests. 
It  was  while  Zach arias  was  on  duty  at  the  temple,  during  one 
of  the  half-yearly  services,  that  the  angel  foretold  to  him  the 
birth  of  John  the  Baptist.         ^  ?  j  *.,;.  ,u,  ;^ .  •., 


:? 


TIIK    MFR  OK  JFISIIS. 


, .' 


I 


The  Oonnoil — Tim  Hmiliodrin  wom  tlio  HUproint  nounoil  of 
tho  Jowith  p(H)|)lo.  It  waa  ooinpoHod,  nn  ih  gonerully  ocliuvnii, 
of  tlio  tw(Mity-tbur  cliiof  priodts,  twenty- four  oldurci,  and 
twonty-twu  acrihcH.  No  luati  wiih  uligiblo  ior  eluotion  uiiIush 
ho  woM  "  luiddlo-Rgod,  tall,  goud-iuuking,  woalthy,  and 
lonrnod.*'  Tlio  high  prioBt  wun  oflon,  if  nut  oomniunly,  tho 
pro^idont  of  tho  council.  Although  all  important  <iuuHtiona 
atfucting  tho  Jewish  people  cauie  before  tho  Sanhodrin,  tho 
power  to  inflict  tho  death  penalty  had  been  taken  froni  it 
before  tho  trial  of  OhriHt.  When  a  few  years  later,  kStoplipn 
after  addressing  a  disouurso  to  tho  council,  was  stoned  to 
death,  this  stoning  was  not  a  Judioial  proceeding,  but  the 
fieroo  outbreak  of  a  murderous  mob. 

The  Partiei. — ^The  rhariseos,  Sadducecs,  and  Ksscnes 
were  tho  leading  parties  among  the  Jews.  Tho  Pharisees 
wore  conservatives ;  the  Sadducoes,  liberals :  the  former 
wore,  to  use  modern  terms,  Calvinists  ;  the  latter  Arraininns  ; 
tho  Pharisees  believod  in  the  resurrection,  tho  Sadducecs 
did  not ;  tho  Phiiri.^  i  s  held  that  there  was  a  Mosaic  oral  law, 
in  addition  to  th(>  written  law  ;  tho  Sadducecs  denied  it.  The 
Pharisees  were  Ecalous  in  making  proselytes,  and  as  a  class 
were  decent  in  character,  and  frugal  in  their  manner  of  life. 
Formalism  wiis  their  great  fault,  and  their  sins  were  those 
which  naturally  flow  from  formalism.  The  Sadducees  were 
wealthy  and  aristocratic. 

Tho  £sscnes  were  an  ascetic  people,  striving  aflcr  an  ideal 
purity,  and  bound  by  awful  oaths  to  observe  "piety,  justice, 
obedience,  honesty,  and  secrecy."  'iiiv  priaci pal  settle- 
ments were  on  the  northwest  shore  -f  t\.  "^  ;»d  Sea.  ^n 
doctrine  they  were  Pharisees.  The  .i.uerness"  in  which 
the  voioe  of  John  the  Baptist  was  heard  summoning  the 
people  to  repent,  and  prepare  for  the  new  kingdom,  was  near 
the  Essenes'  settlements,  and  it  is  quite  likely  that  John  was 
■n>ldeuced  considerably  by  the  people  of  this  sect.  The 
/iete'^ica  are  not  mentioned  by  name  in  the  New  Testament 


^^. 


THE  JKWf     IN    I  irK   TIME  OK  CIIIU8T. 


unoii  of 
liiivod, 
ra,  mid 
uiilosn 
I  and 
nly,  the 
uoHtiuns 
rill,  tiiQ 
roiti  it 
(««:„'(♦. }|., 

)tlOtl   to 

>ut  the 

I88CI1QB 

larldecs 
former 
ininns ; 
Jducoos, 
ral  Inw, 
;.    The 
n  class 
of  life.    ' 
I  those 
!8  were 

r 

1  ideal 
iistice, 
settle - 
a.  ^n 
which 
g  the 
8  near 
n  was 
The 

!Qt. 


MeMianio  Hope*' — Thf  i  '  '»i»  were  IMiarlm'CH  ill  dm-trine 
and  |)«>daiitH  in  McholarMliip.  KicriM*  ))iK(>try  and  noiiHeiiHlual 
piicriliticH  characterized  their  rcligiouH  mid  ("■*'l«'MlaMhcalo|>iii- 
ionH.  Thoy  were  looiiiiiK  laKuriy  for  a  MeHHi.iK  who  would 
rHlabliiih  at  unco,  by  force  of  annu,  a  HpU'iidiil  tJcwiMh  i(ifiK< 
doui.  When  he  appeared,  cxtraordiniuy  prohperity  wituld 
dawn.  Tiiat  tiio  Jews  iniKlit  be  rich  and  at  cil>«(;,  luurveU 
would  bu  accumpliMhcd.  At  the  touch  of  God'H  winds  the 
wiiito  flour  would  drop  from  the  ripened  cars  of  wheat.  From 
a  Hinglegrnpo,  wine  would  bo  <lrawn  as  from  a  cawk.  Jeruna- 
Iciu  would  be  cnlar>;cd  immensoly,  and  ns  houic  believed,  filled 
with  houses  tlirce  miles  high.  There  would  bo  no  sickness 
or  pain,  and  nothing  would  occur  to  mar  the  ^I'ry  and  happi- 
ness of  the  new  kingdom. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGOESTIONfl. 
1.  Whoro,  outside  of  PrtloBtlno,  were  Jews  found  n  the  time  of 
Christ?  2.  On  what  ground  could  the  Jews  of  thi  East  clnim 
that  thoy  wore  in  the  "Holy  Land?"  8.  How  wn^  Archobius 
related  to  Horod  the  Great?  4.  Who  was  Herod  A  ntipns,  and 
what  was  his  charactor?  5.  "What  offlco  did  Pontius  Pilate 
hold?  6.  Why  did  tax-gathering  result  sometimes  in  riots? 
7.  What  was  the  character  of  tho  high  priests  in  tl  o  time  of 
Christ?  8.  How  wore  Annas  and  Caiaphas  rolateu  to  each  , 
other?  9.  What  was  their  character?  10.  Into  how  many 
courses  were  tho  priests  divided?  11.  Who  were  he  chief 
priests?  12.  State  tho  principal  differences  between  tlio  Phari- 
sp'  s  and  Sadducees?  18.  What  wore  the  peculmriti<  h  of  tho 
Kssonos?  14.  What  did  tho  rabbis  teach  respecting  '  le  Mes- 
siah?   

NoTK.— Those  who  have  time  and  accoss  to  tho  bool<  neces- 
sary, will  do  well  if  they  will  read  somewhat  thoroughly  on  the 
topics  touched  in  this  study.  Geikio's  "Life  and  W  )rd8  of 
Christ";  Smith's "  Bible  Dictionary";  Edersheim's  "Sketches 
of  Jewish  Social  Life";  and  Conybearo  and  Howson's  "Life 
ftnd  Epistles  of  St.  Paul,"  Vol.  I.,  ch.  2,  .3,  are  among  the 
Oooks  which  may  bo  consulted. 


IV. 


THE  BIRTH  CP  »£SUS. 


m 


Joseph  and  Mary. — Nnzarcth  was  situated  among  the 
hills  tliat  border  on  the  phtin  of  Esdraclon.  Joseph,  one  of 
the  carpenters  of  the  town,  was  engaged  to  be  married  to  a 
young  woman  named  Mary.  Although  Joseph  and  Mary 
were  peasants,  they  had  royal  blood  in  their  veins ;  and  their 
spiritual  quality  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  God  had 
chosen  them  from  among  all  the  people  of  the  earth  to  be  the 
makers  of  that  homo  life  in  which  the  Ciirist  should  spend 
his  first  thirty  years. 

Mury  was  studious  and  thoughtful,  and  her  mind  had 
become  well  stored  with  Scripture.  Feeling  keenly  the  misery 
and  humiliation  of  her  people,  she  dwelt  with  special  fond- 
ness upon  those  passages  which  predicted  the  dawn  of  a  more 
glorious  day,  and,  in  common  with  the  Jewish  race  at  large, 
longed  for  the  appearance  of  the  Messiah.  Perhaps  she  even 
prayed  that  she,  being  a  descendant  of  David,  and  about  to 
marry  one  who  was  also  of  David's  royal  line,  might  have 
that  highest  honor  which  could  come  to  womanhood — that 
she  herself  might  become  the  mother  of  the  Messiah.  Dur- 
ing the  days  of  betrothal  she  learned  that  this  supreme  honor 
was  to  be  hers. 

The  Annunciation  — One  day  there  appeared  to  Mary  an 
angel,  who  announced  thatshe  had  "  found  favor  with  God," 
and  that  she  should  give  birth  to  a  son  whom  she  should 
name  Jesus.  "He  will  bo  great,"  said  the  angel,  "and 
will  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Most  High  ;  and  the  Lord  God 
will  give  unto  him  the  throne  of  his  father  David."  Some 
months  later  a  similar  announcement  was  made  to  Joseph 
2A 


THE  BIRTH  OP  JESUS. 


25 


concerning  Mary,  the  spiritual  character  of  the  Messiah's  mis- 
sion being  stated  in  the  words:  "And  she  will  bring  forth  a 
son ;  and  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  for  it  is  he  that 
shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins."  "^     ?  i^ 

Less  than  six  months  before  the  annunciation  to  Mary,  the 
angel  Gabriel  had  carried  a  similar  message  to  a  Judean 
priest,  named  Zacharias,  concerning  his  wife  Elisabeth. 
Zaclnrias  was  now  an  old  man,  and  Elisabeth  was  childless. 
This  was  a  great  grief  to  him,  and  until  hope  was  passed,  he 
had  prayed  that  God  would  give  him  a  son.  On  a  certain 
week  in  October,  that  one  of  the  twenty  four  courses  of  the 
priests  to  which  Zacharias  belonged  was  on  duty  in  the 
temple,  and  one  morning  it  fell  to  his  lot  to  enter  into  the 
holy  place  to  burn  incense.  Without,  the  people  were 
praying  ;  within,  the  priest  was  intent  upon  the  solemn  office 
in  which  he  was  engaged,  when  suddenly  an  angel  appeared 
before  him  and  announced  that  his  supplication  was  heard, 
and  that  Elisabeth  should  bear  a  son,  whom  they  should  call 
John,  and  who  should  "make  ready  for  the  Lord  a  people 
prepared  for  him."  The  surprise  of  Zacharias  made  him 
skeptical,  and,  as  a  sign  of  the  authority  of  the  angel  who 
had  borne  the  message,  he  was  stricken  dunib. 

The  circumstances  of  these  two  annunciations  are  noticq^bly 
different.  Zacharias  heard  the  message  as  he  lingered  in  the 
holy  place,  tlie  candles  on  the  golden  candlestick  giving  their 
dim  light,  and  the  incense  still  burning  on  the  altar ;  Mary 
heard  the  message  in  her  simple  home  in  Nazareth.  Even 
the  annunciation  of  Christ  must  be  accompanied  by  singular 
simplicity  and  humility. 

Mary,  having  learned  from  the  angel  that  Elisabeth,  who 
was  a  relative  of  hers,  was  soon  to  become  a  mother, 
hastened  to  Judea  to  visit  her,  and  spent  three  months  amid 
the  hills  south  of  Jerusalem.  Her  beautiful  hymn,  which  is 
preserved  to  us  in  the  first  chapter  of  Luke,  was  composed 
during  this  neriod. 


26 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


The  Birth  of  Joha  the  Baptist.— Not  long  after  Mary's 
return  to  Nazareth,  a  son  was  born  to  Elisabeth.  When  it 
became  necessary  to  name  him,  a  diflFerence  of  opinion  arose. 
Elisabeth's  relatives  and  neighbors  insisted  that  ho  should  be 
called  Zucharias,  after  his  father,  but  Elisabeth  declared  that 
his  name  must  be  John.  When  these  friends  protested,  the 
matter  was  referred  to  Zacharias,  who  supported  his  wife's 
decision.  In  that  moment  he  recovered  the  power  of  speech, 
and  pronounced  a  hymn  of  great  exultation  and  hope.  Dur- 
ing the  nine  months  in  which  he  had  been  dumb,  he  had 
learned  a  lesson  of  faith. 

The  Birth  at  Bethlehem— Micah  had  prophesied  that 
the  Messiah  should  be  born  in  Bethlehem,  and  Gabriel  had 
announced  that  Mary's  first-born  should  be  the  Messiah. 
But  Mary  was  living  in  Nazareth,  and  the  birth  of  her  child 
was  near.  God  brought  about  the  fulfillment  of  the  prophecy 
through  the  decree  of  a  pagan  monarch. 

Caesar  Augustus,  the  Roman  emperor,  ordered  a  census  to 
be  taken  throughout  his  dominions  for  purposes  of  future 
taxation.  Jewish  custom  required  that  the  people  should  be 
enrolled  according  to  their  tribes  and  families ;  and  as  Joseph 
and  Mary  belonged  to  the  family  of  David,  it  became  neces- 
sary for  them  to  go  to  Bethlehem,  which  was  the  ancient 
seat  of  David's  family,  for  enrollment. 

Bethlehem  was  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  Palestine,  and 
one  of  the  most  interesting.  It  was  the  birthplace  of  David. 
Near  by,  Benjamin  was  born  and  Rachel  died.  It  was  the 
home  of  Naomi,  whither  she  returned  after  her  sad  sojourn  in 
Moab,  bringing  with  her  Ruth,  her  beautiful  daughter-in-law. 
In  the  fields  outside  of  the  town,  Ruth  gleaned  and  won  the 
admiration  of  wealthy  Boaz,  her  future  husband.  The  book 
of  Ruth  is  taken  up  wholly  with  annals  of  this  little  town. 
Its  present  name  is  Beit-Lahra,  and  it  has  a  population 
of  about  three  thousand,  all  of  whom  are  nominal  Chris- 
tians. 


Um^iscm/iii'i^  Ti-  I1IF 


THE   BIRTH   OP  JESUS. 


27 


AVhen  Joseph  and  Mary  reached  Bethlehem  they  found  it 
crowded  with  visitors.  "There  was  no  room  for  them  in  the 
inn ; "  and  as  no  hospitable  door  was  thrown  open  to  them  in 
their  need,  they  were  compelled  to  seek  rest  in  a  stable. 
Here,  in  the  solemn  night,  Jesus  was  born,  and  because  no 
woman  was  there  to  aid,  Mary  with  her  own  hands  wrapped 
her  babe  in  swaddling  clothes  and  laid  him  in  the  manger  by 
her  side.  No  throiigs  waited  in  eager  service,  as  befitted  the 
greater  son  of  great  David's  royal  line,  and  no  radiancy  of 
glory  shone  about  the  place  to  declare  the  divine  origin  of  the 
new-born  babe.  In  a  quiet  stable,  away  from  tlie  noise  of 
the  world  and  from  the  tender  help  of  women,  the  young 
Mary  gave  birth  to  this  divine  descendant  of  David  the 
mighty,  and  Solomon  the  magnificent. 

The  Visit  of  the  Shepherds.— On  the  plains  near  the  city, 
flocks  were  lying,  as  had  lain  the  flocks  of  youthful  David  a 
thousand  years  before.  The  shepherds  guarding  tbese  now 
watched  the  skies  to  admire  the  glowing  stars,  or  again  eyed 
the  fields  to  prevent  surprise  from  skulking  wolf  or  bear, 
when  suddenly  an  angel  was  by  their  side,  and  all  around  them 
there  slione  a  strange  and  glorious  light.  Awed,  alarmed, 
and  wondering  what  this  might  portend,  they  stood  silent , 
but  the  angel  bade  them  dismiss  their  fears,  for  the  hour  of 
joy  had  come.  The  Messiah  was  born  ;  in  Bethlehem  they 
might  find  him  ;  and  the  sign  by  which  they  should  recog- 
nize the  babe  was  the  place  where  he  lay  :  "Ye  shall  find  a 
babe  wrapped  in  swaddling  clothes,  and  Ij'ing  in  a  manger." 
The  announcenient  of  the  angel  was  followed  quickly  by 
another  wonder.  Throngs  of  celestial  beings  grouped  them- 
selves about  the  angel  who  had  brought  the  message  to  the 
shepherds,  and  sang  while  the  shepherds  listened.  Centuries 
before,  Isaiah  had  heard  the  seraphim  calling  to  each  other 
in  the  temple,  "Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts;  the 
whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory"  ;  but  now  the  shepherds 
hear  a  more  wonderful  song  : 


28 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Glory  to  Ood  in  the  highest, 

And  on  earth  peace  among  men  in  whom  he  is  well  pleased. 

At  length  the  song  died  away.  Noiselessly  the  angelio 
multitude  withdrew.  The  strange  light  faded.  There  was 
silence.  This  was  broken  by  the  shepherds  saying  one  to 
another:  '^Let  us  now  go  even  unto  Bethlehem  and  see  this 
thing  which  is  come  to  pass,  which  the  Lord  has  made 
known  to  us."  Hastily  they  left  their  flocks  and  went  in 
quest  of  the  Lamb  of  God.  Remembering  the  words  of  the 
angel,  they  visited  neither  mansion  nor  inn,  but  searched  the 
stables.  In  all  Bethlehem  no  other  birth  was  so  lowly,  no 
other  infancy  so  humble ;  and  therefore,  when  they  found 
"  Mary  and  Joseph  and  the  babe  lying  in  the  manger,"  they 
knew  that  this  was  he  whose  birth  had  brought  a  **  multitude 
of  the  heavenly  host"  to  the  earth  to  declare  ''good  tidings 
of  great  joy"  which  should  be  "to  all  people."  After  the 
shepherds  had  told  Mary  and  Joseph  of  all  that  the  angel 
had  said,  and  of  the  song  of  the  celestial  host,  they  returned 
to  their  humble  duties,  praising  and  glorifying  God  for  all  the 
things  which  they  had  seen.  Meanwhile,  '*  Mary  kept  all 
these  sayings,  pondering  them  in  her  heart." 

Jesus  was  born  in  a  manger.  A  carpenter's  family  re- 
ceived him.  His  mother  was  one  of  the  poorest  in  the  land. 
His  birth  was  announced  by  an  angel  to  workingmen  in  a 
field.  Humble  shepherds  were  the  first  to  greet  the  new- 
bom  Saviour.  The  poor  and  the  toiler  may  reflect  on  these 
facts  with  peculiar  delight.  i. 

Eelatkd  Scripture.— John  1 :  1-18;  Mieah  5:2;  Matt. 
1 :  1-25 ;  Luke  1  :  1-2  :  20 ;  3  :  23-38. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Locate  Nazareth  on  the  map.  2.  Recall  what  was  said  in 
the  first  of  these  lessons  concerning  Esdraelon.  3.  What,  in  the 
physical  features  of  the  country,  would  make  Mary's  journey  to 


THE  BIRTH   OF  JESUS. 


29 


the  "hill  country  of  Judea"  difficult?  4.  Find  on  the  map  some 
of  the  highest  summits  which  she  would  puss  on  her  journey 
southward.  5.  Name  the  two  seas  near  which  she  would  come 
on  her  journey,  and  descrihe  their  size  and  distinguishing 
features.  6.  Find  evidence  in  Mury's  hymn  (Luke  1 :  46-55) 
that  she  was  a  student  of  the  Scriptures.  7.  To  whom  did  the 
angel  announce  the  birth  of  John?  8.  To  whom  did  he 
announce  the  birth  of  Jesus?  9.  Who  was  Zacharias?  10. 
Who  composed  the  hymns  which  are  recorded  in  the  first 
chapter  of  Luke  ?  11.  Bead  these  hymns  until  you  can  state 
clearly  the  substance  of  each.  12.  How  did  it  come  to  pass  that 
Jesus  was  born  in  Bethlehem?  13.  Who,  after  Joseph  and 
Mary,  first  saw  Jesus?    14.  Learn  the  words  of  the  angels'  song. 


t 

■  R 


V. 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  INFANCY. 

The  Ciroumoision  and  Naming  of  Jesus  —In  any  land 
the  naming  cf  the  first  child  is  au  event  of  no  little  import- 
ance. It  was  so  in  Bethlehem  when  Jesus  lay  in  the  arms  of 
Mary.  Often  the  name  which  pleases  the  parents  is  not 
satisfactory  to  their  relatives.  This  was  so  in  the  '*hill 
country  of  Jude^"  when  the  neighbors  and  cousins  of  Elisa- 
beth learned  that  her  son  was  to  bear  the  name  of  John. 
But  in  Bethlehem  it  would  seem  that  there  were  no  inter- 
ested friends  or  relatives  to  protest  when  Joseph  and  Mary 
gave  to  the  child  the  name  which  the  angel  had  announced. 
The  name  Jesus  is  the  Greek  form  of  tlie  Hebrew  Joshua, 
and  means  Saviour.  Jesus  was  a  common  name  among  the 
Jews. 

The  circumcision  of  the  babe,  in  connection  with  which  the 
naming  occurred,  took  place  according  to  the  Jewish  custom, 
when  he  was  eight  days  old.  By  this  rite,  Jesus  became  a 
nusmber  of  the  Hebrew  commonwealth,  and  was  thenceforth 
subject  to  the  law  as  were  the  rest  of  his  race.  The  rite  may 
have  occurred  in  the  place  where  Mary  was  lodging  or  in  a 
synagogue  of  Bethlehem,  or  in  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  six 
miles  away.  Tiie  temple  was  preferred  by  the  devout,  and 
was  chosen  when  convenient. 

Presentation  in  the  Temple.— About  a  month  after  Jesus 
was  circumcised,  Joseph  and  Mary  appeared  with  him  in  the 
temple  to  observe  two  other  Jewish  rites,  one  of  which  re- 
lated to  Jesus  and  the  other  to  Mary.  Jesus,  as  the  first- 
born male,  belonged  in  a  special  sense  to  the  Lord,  and  the 
parents  must  formally  relinquish  possession  in  him  by  pre- 


till 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  INFANCY. 


31 


scnting  liim  to  a  priest  of  the  Lord  in  the  temple.  This 
dune,  they  were  at  liberty  to  buy  him  buck  by  making  u 
stipulated  offering  to  tlio  temple  treasury.  The  offering  hav- 
ing been  made,  they  received  the  babe  again  as  their  own. 
This  was  called  the  redemption  of  the  first-born.  Tiie  fact 
that  Jesus  was  accepted  in  this  rite  is  proof  that,  as  a  babe, 
he  was  physically  perfect,  since  no  child  was  accepted  who 
was  in  any  way  imperfect  or  blemished.  The  purification  of 
Mary,  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  ceremonial  law, 
demanded  separate  offerings,  one  of  these  being  a  lamb 
for  a  burnt  offering,  or  in  case  the  lamb  could  not  be  afforded, 
a  turtle  dove  or  young  pigeon.  ]Mary,  being  a  poor  woman, 
made  the  less  expensive  offering. 

In  all  this  there  was  nothing  unusual.  First-born  sons 
were  often  carried  into  the  temple  by  proud  and  happy 
young  mothers.  Frequently  too,  the  poor  were  there  offering, 
instead  of  the  lamb,  the  dove  or  pigeon.  But  now  an  extra- 
ordinary thing  occurs.  There  was  in  the  temple  that  morn- 
ing, when  Joseph  and  Mary  entered,  an  aged  and  devout 
man  named  Simeon,  to  whom  it  had  been  revealed  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  that  he  should  see  the  Messiah  before  he  died. 
When  this  holy  man  saw  the  infant  Jesus,  that  Spirit  who 
had  given  the  promise  made  him  aware  that  its  fulfillment 
had  come.  Taking  the  babe  in  his  arms,  Simeon  uttered  a 
hymn  of  gladsome  praise,  and  then  turning  to  the  wondering 
Mary,  said:  "Behold,  this  child  is  set  for  the  falling  and 
rising  up  of  many  in  Israel ;  and  for  a  sign  which  is  spoken 
against;  yea  and  a  sword  shall  pierce  through  thine  own 
soul ;  that  thoughts  out  of  many  hearts  may  be  revealed." 

While  Simeon  was  speaking,  a  venerable  woman  drew  near 
the  group,  who  joined  in  giving  thanks  to  God,  and  spoke  of 
the  babe  "to  all  them  that  were  looking  for  the  redemption 
of  Jerusalem. "  A  romantic  interest  attaches  to  this  woman. 
She  became  a  bride  when  young.  After  seven  years  of 
wedded  life  her  husband  died,  and  she  never  married  again. 


32 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


She  had  been  a  widow  eighty-four  years  when  her  dim  ej'efi 
were  gladdened  by  u  sigiit  of  the  Messiah.  She  belonged  to 
the  tribe  of  Aulier,  one  of  the  lost  ten  tribes,  a  tribe  cele- 
brated fur  the  beauty  of  its  women.    Her  name  was  Anna. 

Simeon  and  Anna  in  their  Messianic  hope-',  differed  widely 
from  the  majority  of  their  race.  The  rabbis  taught  the 
people  to  look  for  a  splendid  conqueror,  who  should  bring  in 
a  kingdom  of  extraordinary  earthly  riches  and  power.  This 
was  the  common  expectation  when  Jesus  was  born.  But 
Simeon  and  Anna  saw  with  more  spiritual  eyes,  and  it  was  no 
surprise  to  them  to  find  the  infant  Messiah  in  the  arms  of  a 
poor  and  humble  mother.  While  the  rabbis  hud  been 
interpreting  in  a  material  sense  the  promises  which  spoke  of 
a  coming  king  of  vast  dominions,  these  two  saints  were  pon- 
dering the  meaning  of  those  Scriptures  which  described  a 
suffering  deliverer  who  should  heal  the  sores  which  sin  had 
made.  Nor  aie  we  to  suppose  that  Simeon  and  Anna  were 
alone  in  holding  these  opinions.  Doubtless  there  were  others 
in  Jerusalem  and  throughout  the  land  who  had  laid  aside 
their  Jewish  national  pride,  and  looked  for  a  kingdom  whose 
glories  should  be  spiritual  rather, than  material,  and  whose 
victories  should  be  the  triumphs  of  righteousness  and  mercy, 
rather  than  of  armies.  God  has  always  a  remnant  who  are 
acquainted  with  his  secrets.  ; i,, • ,   \      r  „  v  ;; ^!  f 

The  Visit  of  the  Wise  Men  —When  the  ceremonies  in 
the  temple  were  ended,  Joseph  returned  with  Mary  and  the 
child  to  Bethlehem,  where  evidently  he  had  decided  to  make 
his  home,  instead  of  returning  to  Nazareth.  But  an  event 
was  soon  to  occur  which  would  interrupt  the  even  flow  of  his 
life,  startle  him  with  its  threat  of  danger  to  Mary's  child, 
and  lead  him  to  return,  after  distant  journeyings,  to  Galilee. 

Herod  the  Great  was  now  an  old  man,  and  monstrously 
cruel  and  vicious.  The  loathsome  disease  which  was  consum- 
ing him  increased  his  inhuman  irritability  and  ferocity. 
Being  a  usurper,  he  was  suspicious  of  every  one  who  might 


INCIDENTS  OP  THE  IK  FANCY. 


33 


appear  to  have  any  claims  to  the  throne.  He  had  murdered 
many,  and  among  them  certain  of  his  own  sons,  because  their 
title  seemed  to  endanger  his  own  position.  Old  age  and  the 
near  approach  of  death,  instead  of  turning  his  thoughts  from 
earthly  cares,  added  heat  to  his  jealous  suspicions  and 
cruelties. 

At  this  juncture  a*new  terror  seized  the  wretched  old  king. 
There  appeared  in  Jerusalem  certain  strangers  of  distinction, 
who  asked  the  startling  question :  *'  Where  is  he  that  is  born 
King  of  the  Jews?  for  we  have  seen  his  star  in  the  East, 
and  are  come  to  worship  him." 

The  Eastern  country  from  which  these  wise  men  came  was 
the  home  of  the  purest  paganism  then  known,  and  they  rep- 
resented a  class  who  were  looking  for  the  birth  of  a  king  of 
the  Jews,  whose  coming  should  affect  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  The  source  of  their  knowledge  we  cannot  tell  with 
pusitiveness,  but  since  the  Jews  had  been  scattered  through- 
out all  that  region  of  country  for  generations,  it  is  not  unrea- 
sonable to  suppose  that  from  them  the  pagan  nations  had 
learned  that  great  Jewish  hope  which  had  been  the  chief 
comfort  of  the  Hebrew  race  in  all  the  years  of  their  exile  and 
humiliation.  Of  those  who  believed  that  a  great  Jewish 
king  was  to  appear,  there  were  some  whose  astrological 
studies  led  them  to  suppose  that  his  birth  was  at  hand,  and 
these  set  out  for  Palestine  with  offerings  which  should  express 
the  homage  of  their  land  to  the  new-bom  monarch.  They 
went  directly  to  Jerusalem,  supposing  that  in  the  nation's 
capital  the  knowledge  of  this  great  event  would  be  general, 
and  that  there  they  could  learn  where  to  find  the  King  whom 
they  sought.  Thus  it  came  to  pass  that  they  entered  the 
streets  of  the  city,  asking  that  question  at  which  Herod  *'  was 
troubled,  and  all  Jerusalem  with  him." 

Had  Herod  been  a  Jew  he  would  have  known  where  the 
Messiah  was  to  be  born  ;  but  being  an  Idumean  he  was  ignor- 
ant of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures.     In  answer  to  his  inquiry,  the 

C 


34 


THE   LIFE   OF  JFJ5U8. 


priests  told  liiui  of  Micah's  prophecy,  tliat  tiio  Messiah  should 
bo  born  in  Bethlehem.  Eluving  obtained  the  answer  of  the 
priests,  he  recalled  the  wise  men,  gave  them  the  information 
they  desired,  and  requested  that  when  they  had  found  the 
babe,  they  would  report  to  him  where  he  was,  that  he  also 
might  go  and  worship  him.  This  was  Herod's  lie,  his  pur- 
pose being  to  murder  this  new  rival,  as  he  had  murdered 
many  others.  A  daring  purpose  truly  to  kill  the  Anointed  of 
God,  and  d^jfeat  the  promises  of  the  Most  High  ! 

As  the  wise  men  were  departing  from  Jerusalem,  they  were 
delighted  to  see  in  the  sky  the  star  which  had  }teen  their 
guide  in  the  East.  Following  its  guidance  again,  they  found 
themselves  soon  in  Bethlehem,  and  there,  without  difficulty, 
discovered  the  house  of  Joseph  ;  '"and  they  came  into  the 
house  and  saw  the  young  child  with  Mary  his  mother ;  and 
they  full  down  and  worshipped  him  ;  and  opening  their  treas- 
ures they  offered  unto  him  gifts,  gold  and  frankincense  and 
myrrh."  Their  homage  ended,  they  departed  to  their 
Etistern  home,  God  having  warned  thea.  in  a  dream  that  they 
should  not  return  to  Herod.  The  wonder  of  the  shepherds, 
the  words  of  Simeon  and  Anna,  and  the  lioraage  of  the  wise 
men,  would  hereafter  blend  in  the  memory  of  Mary,  as  she 
pondered  all  these  things  in  her  heart. 

Herod,  though  deceived  in  his  hopes  by  the  action  of  the 
wise  men,  determined  that  his  murderous  purpose  should  not 
be  balked.  The  infant  King  of  the  Jews  must  die ;  and 
though  he  did  not  know  in  what  house  the  babe  was  lodged, 
and  was  too  enraged  t'o  make  patient  inquiry,  he  issued  an 
order  which  he  believed  would  compass  his  purpose.  He  com- 
manded that  every  male  infant  in  Bethlehejn  under  two  yeare 
of  age  should  be  slaughtered.  Probably  the  number  of  the 
slain  was  not  more  than  twenty,  but  the  tragedy  was  sufficient 
to  shake  the  little  town  to  its  fojindations,  and  to  create  a 
new  horror  of  the  vicious  and  terrible  Herod.  But  while  the 
mothers  at  Bethlehem  were  wailing  over  their  dead  babes. 


INCIDENTS  OP  THE  INFANCY. 


36 


Mary  was  giving  Ood  thanks  that  he  had  delivered  her  child 
from  the  bloody  hand  of  the  murderer.  * 

Bklatxd  Scriptubk.— Luke  2  :  21-39;  Mutt.  2  :  1-18. 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Find  Bethlehem  on  the  map.  2.  Huw  far  was  it  fVom  Je- 
rustilem?  8.  Givo  the  present  name  and  population  of  the  town. 
4.  Uuw  old  was  Josus  when  he  was  named?  5.  Whut  is  the 
meaning  of  Jeauaf  0.  How  old  was  he,  prubably,  when  he  was 
presented  in  the  temple?  7.  What  did  Simeon  say  on  seeing 
Jesus,  and  what  did  he  afLorward  say  to  Mary?  8.  Describe 
Anna's  peculiarities.  9.  What  was  the  character  of  the  com- 
mon Messianic  hope?  10.  How  did  the  hope  of  Simoon  differ 
from  the  common  hope?  11.  Where  did  Joseph  and  Mary  go 
to  reside  after  the  presentation  in  the  temple?  12.  What  ques- 
tion, asked  by  strangers,  alarmed  Herod  and  disturbed  Jerusa- 
lem? 18.  Did  the  wise  men  find  Jesus  in  a  stable  or  a  house? 
14.  Name  the  three  occasions  on  which  the  infant  Jesus  was 
greeted  as  the  Messiah.  16.  How  did  Herod  attempt  to  make 
sure  of  the  destruction  of  Jesus  ? 


ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lessons  I-V. 

Note.— Commit  this  "order  of  events"  to   memory,  and 
locate  each  event  in  the  Gospels. 

1.  Annunciation  to  Zacharias. 

2.  Annunciation  to  Mary.  . 
8.  Annunciation  to  Joseph. 

4.  Mary's  Visit  to  Elisabeth.  •        •     >, 

6.  Birth  of  John  the  Baptist.  ' 

6.  Birth  of  Jesus  the  Christ. 

7.  The  Message  of  the  Angels  to  the  Shepherds. 

8.  Visit  of  the  Shepherds. 

9.  The  Circumcision.  .    '^ 

10.  The  Presentation  in  the  Temple.  V 

11.  Visit  of  the  Wise  Men  from  the  East. 


•^.     -t' 


VI 


r'^^. 


EOYPT  AND  NAZARETH. 

The  Flight.-— More  than  oDoe  during  liis  ministry  Jesus 
found  safety  in  flight :  that  tlie  Son  of  God  should  flee  before 
the  Btorui  of  human  hate  and  fury,  was  a  part  of  his  selF- 
ohosen  humiliation.  Of  the  troubles  which  his  later  years 
should  know  there  were  tokens  in  his  infancy.  Simeon, 
with  prophetic  eye,  saw  the  soul  of  Mary  pierced  by  the 
sword  of  a  great  grief  Joseph  fled  hastily  from  the  domin- 
ions of  Herod  while  Jesus  was  still  a  babe,  to  save  him  from 
the  jealous  wrath  of  the  fiei-ce  old  king.  These  were 
shadows  of  the  calamities  which  would  beat  heavily  and 
thickly  upon  him  when  he  faced  the  sin  of  the  world  with  his 
divine  rebukes  and  self-sacrificing  compassion. 

The  infancy  of  Jesus  was  guarded  tenderly  by  angels. 
From  an  angel,  Mary,  and  later  Joseph,  learned  that  ho 
should  be  born,  and  now,  while  Herod  is  gathering  a  com- 
pany of  murderers  for  the  work  of  death  among  the  babes  of 
Bethlehem,  an  angel  hastens  to  Joseph  with  the  message : 
''Arise,  and  take  the  young  child  and  his  mother,  and  flee 
into  Egypt,  and  be  thou  there  until  I  tell  thee :  for  Herod 
will  seek  the  young  child  to  destroy  it."  Joseph  obeyed 
promptly.  Under  cover  of  night  he  fled  from  Bethlehem, 
and  as  quickly  as  possible  made  his  way  to  Egypt.  And  thus 
it  came  to  pass  that  the  land  into  which  Abraham  fled  from 
the  famine  of  Canaan,  and  Joseph  was  carried  captive 
because  of  the  jealousy  of  his  brothers,  and  in  which  the 
Israelites  were  in  bondage  until  led  forth  by  Moses,  became 
the  asylum  of  the  infant  Saviour.  The  land  of  bondage 
became  the  land  of  refuge. 
36 


^ 


EGYPT   AND  NAZARETH. 


87 


In  Egypt. — Among  tlio  million  or  more  Jews  then  in 
Egypt,  thoro  would  bo  many  to  give  a  liospitublc  welcome  to 
this  worthy  family  from  Judea.  Ah  in  imagination  we  follow 
Joseph  into  Egypt,  the  picture  before  our  eyes  is  an  inter- 
esting one.  The  Egyptian  Jews  would  have  many  questions 
to  nsk  concerning  the  condition  of  Palestine,  and  concerning 
Herod,  of  whose  atrocities  they  had  heard  much  from  pil- 
grims who  had  gone  up  from  Egyt)t  to  Jerusalem  to  the 
great  feasts.  What  new  murders  had  he  instigated?  From 
what  recent  oppressions  were  the  people  suffering?  Were 
there  rumors  of  other  conspiracies  against  the  foul  and  cruel 
old  man  ?  Did  he  seem  to  suffer  remorse  for  the  murder 
of  the  beautiful  Mariamne  ?  With  these,  and  many  other 
questions,  Joseph  would  be  plied ;  and  his  listeners  would 
burn  with  resentment,  or  grow  tender  with  sympathy,  as  ho 
told  of  the  cruelties  of  the  king,  the  extortions  of  the  tax- 
gatherers,  the  vices  of  the  high  priests,  or  the  unrest  and 
misery  of  the  people.  Then  these  sad  themes  would  give 
way  to  a  brighter  and  sublimer  topic.  One  and  another 
would  recall  the  promises  made  by  God  of  a  deliverer,  who 
should  rescue  his  people  from  their  oppressors,  and  lead  them 
into  glorious  prosperity  and  honor.  They  felt  that  the  dawn 
was  near.  Surely  the  cup  of  their  sorrow  and  humiliation 
was  full  to  the  brim.  The  Messiah  must  soon  come.  We 
can  hear  the  Egyptian  Jews  asking  Joseph  what  hopes  were 
current  in  Jerusalem,  or  seeking  his  own  opinion  as  to 
whether  the  day  of  deliverance  was  just  at  hand.  And  what 
would  Jos^^ph  say  ?  He  knew  that  the  Messiah  lay  in  Mary's 
arms.  Did  he  breathe  to  them  a  word  concerning  the  nngelio 
messages  that  had  come  to  his  ears  in  Nazareth  and  Bethle- 
hem ?  Probably  not.  Joseph  and  Mary  seem  to  have  been 
singularly  digniJSed  and  prudent.  They  were  content  to 
watch  in  silence  while  God  worked  out  his  wonders  beforo 
their  eyes.  ■>•.-?  -?>■■•.:"■.    -vi.-r,  „,»:-.,•  .'v^r.-----^^    ■:  • 

Galled  Ont  of  Egypt. — In  a  burning  bush  God  had  spoken 


38 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


to  Moses,  commanding  him  to  lead  the  people  of  Israel  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt ;  in  a  dream  he  commands  Joseph  to 
take  the  Saviour  of  Israel  back  to  Canaan.  ' '  But  when 
Herod  was  dead,  behold,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeareth  in  a 
dream  to  Joseph  in  Egj'pt,  saying :  Arise,  and  take  the 
young  child  and  his  mother,  and  go  into  the  land  of  Israel : 
for  they  are  dead  that  sought  the  young  child's  life."  But 
for  this  divine  command  it  is  possible  that  Joseph  might  have 
remained  permanently  in  Egypt. 

Probably  the  sojourn  in  Egypt  was  brief  Soon  after  the 
slaughter  of  the  Bethlehem  babes,  the  loathsome  disease 
from  which  Herod  suffered  brought  his  life  to  a  terrible  close. 
To  the  last  he  was  almost  inconceivably  vicious  and  cruel.  It 
is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Josephus  that,  while  in  his  last 
sickness,  knowing  that  he  must  die,  and  certain  that  his 
death  would  be  hailed  with  delight  all  over  the  land,  he  gave 
orders  to  assemble  all  the  nobles  of  the  Jews  and  shut  them 
up  in  the  hippodrome,  and  keep  them  there  under  guard 
until  he  died.  Then,  before  a  knowledge  of  his  death  reached 
the  guards,  they  were  to  be  commanded  in  the  king's  name 
to  slaughter  the  nobles,  that  there  might  be  real  sorrow 
throughout  the  lond  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  even 
though  the  grief  was  for  others.  Whether  this  story  is  true 
or  not,  such  a  deed  would  have  been  quite  consistent  with  the 
character  of  this  terrible  descendant  of  Esau. 

In  Nazareth  Again.— When  Joseph  left  Egypt,  he  in- 
tended to  return  to  Bethlehem  :  but  on  reaching  Palestine  he 
learned  that  Archelaus  ruled  over  Judea,  and  at  once  changed 
his  purpose.  Arohelaus  had  received  the  dominion  of  Idumea, 
Judea,  and  Samaria ;  Herod  Antipas  received  Galilee  and 
Perea;  and  Philip,  Batanea,  Trachonitis,  and  Gaulnnitis. 
Archelaus  closely  resembled  his  father,  a  fact  which  Joseph 
evidently  knew.  Herod  Antipas  also  was  vicious.  Where 
Joseph  would  have  sought  a  home,  under  these  circumstances, 
if  he  had  been  left  to  himself,  it  is  not  easy  to  say  ;  but  he 


■am 


EGYPT  AND   NAZARETFT. 


39 


was  saved  from  all  doubt  by  another  divine  communication  : 
"Being  warned  of  God  in  a  dream,  he  withdrew  into  the 
parts  of  Galilee,  and  came  and  dwelt  in  a  city  called  Naza- 
reth." 

This  was  his  old  home.  Here  he  had  leari..?d  to  love  the 
gentle  woman  who  was  now  his  wife.  It  was  here  that,  a 
few  years  before,  "  an  angel  of  tlie  Lord  appeared  to  him  in  u 
dream,  saying,  Joseph,  thou  son  of  David,  lear  not  to  take 
unto  thee  Mary  thy  wife  :  for  that  which  is  conceived  in  her 
is  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  she  shall  bring  forth  a  son,  and 
thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus  :  for  it  is  he  that  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins."  As  he  entered  the  town  he  would 
go  over  again  the  wonderful  incidents  which  had  occurred 
since  that  first  strange  message  came  to  him  :  the  birth  of 
Mary's  child  in  the  Bethlehem  stable,  the  visit  of  the  shep- 
herds, the  words  of  Simeon  and  Anna  in  the  temple,  the 
visit  of  the  Magi,  the  warning  of  the  angel,  and  the  flight 
into  Egypt,  the  slaughter  of  the  babes  of  Bethlehem,  the 
angelic  message  bidding  him  return  to  the  land  of  Israel,  his 
fear  and  bewilderment  on  learning  that  Archelaus  was  the 
ruler  of  Judea,  and  finally  the  direct  command  from  God  to 
return  to  Nazareth  and  make  his  home  there.  And  Mary's 
thoughts  would  be  not  less  busy  than  his.  Pcrhai>s  they  con- 
versed together  concerning  these  things  as  they  journej^ed  ; 
but  it  is  easier  to  think  of  them  as  proceeding  in  silence,  each 
pondering  the  strange  and  wonderful  events  in  which  they 
had  been  given  so  singular  a  part. 

On  their  arrival  in  Nazareth,  Joseph  returned  to  his  trade 
as  a  carpenter,  and  Mary  entered  upon  her  humble  duties  as 
the  wife  of  a  poor  artisan.  "And  the  child  grew  and  waxed 
strong,  filled  with  wisdom  ;  and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon 
him." 


Related  Scripture.— Matt.  2  :  13-23.   Read  again  carefully 
Matt.  1  :  1  to  2  :  12;  Luke  1  :  1  to  2  :  39 ;  John  1 :  1-18. 


40 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS.     >      r, 

1.  Why  did  Herod  seek  the  deuth  of  Jesus?  2.  How  many 
communications  concerning  Jesus  had  been  made  by  angels  up 
to  this  time?  8.  How  many  Jews  were  Jiving  in  the  Nile  valley 
in  this  period  ?  How  many  in  Alexandria  ?  4.  What  was  the 
Septuagint,  and  where  was  it  made?  5.  Why  did  Joseph  leave 
Egypt?  6.  Why  did  he  not  return  to  Bethlehem?  7.  Who 
ruled  over  Galilee  at  this  time?  8.  Review  all  you  have  learned 
concerning  Herod  the  Great,  Archelaus,  Herod  Antipas,  and 
Philip.  9.  Where  is  the  flight  into  Egypt  recorded  ?  10.  Repeat 
aloud  the  "  Order  of  Events  "  as  given  in  connection  with  Les- 
son V. 


i 


■^■•^t^y^-V 


■  -i*  '■^■•■•'■Ti    f^:.->\-^. 


■ri- 


.     VII. 


CHILDHOOD  AND  YOUTH. 


The  First  Oronp  of  Silent  Years.— From  the  time  of  the 
return  of  Joseph  to  Nazareth  to  that  of  the  baptism  of  Jesus 
we  have  only  one  glimpse  of  our  Lord's  life.  Luke  describes 
his  visit  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  Passover  when  he  was 
twelve  years  old,  but  the  years  both  before  and  after  are 
"silent  years."  However,  we  are  not  left  in  total  ignorance 
of  the  conditioni  in  which  he  grew  up.  From  other  sources 
we  know  something  of  Jewish  family  life  in  that  age,  and 
from  the  records  of  Jesus'  ministry  we  are  able  to  infer  a  few 
facts  concerning  the  pursuits  of  his  youth.        '^^.'.^:.-'?^/-'.T^'^i' 

The  Jews  loved  their  children  intensely,  and  trained  them 
with  tenderness  and  care.  We  may  picture  Jesus  in  the 
quiet  home  of  Jossph  and  Mary,  receiving  the  careful  train- 
ing of  these  two,  whose  hearts  were  tender  by  nature,  and 
made  more  attentive  to  this  babe  by  the  wonders  and  prom- 
ises which  accompanied  his  birth.  We  must  believe  too,  thai 
Jesus  as  a  child  was  peculiarly  winsome  and  affectionate. 
That  he  was  a  favorite  among  the  people  of  Nazareth,  is 
stated  by  Luke,  and  that  ac  a  man  he  was  affectionate,  is 
shown  by  his  relation  to  his  disciples. 

If  Jesus'  life  resembled  that  of  othc  Jewish  boys,  and  we 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  it  did,  as  soon  as  he  could 
talk  he  was  taught  the  simpler  texts  used  in  the  daily  morn- 
ing prayers,  and  later,  when  he  could  master  them,  longer 
and  moife  difficult  passages.  F4ven  very  poor  families  com- 
monly had  some  portion  of  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures  in 
their  possession,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  this  devout  family 
possessed  the  whole  Old  Testament.     Mary's  many  allusions 

41 


42 


THE   LIFE   OF  JESUS. 


to  the  Scriptures  in  her  hymn,  show  that  she  knew  and  loved 
them,  and  was,  therefore,  competent  to  be  the  instructor  of 
her  child.  The  picture  of  Mary,  witli  her  young  son  by  her 
side,  teaching  him  liis  earliest  lessons  in  the  sacred  Scriptures, 
is  full  of  domestic  beauty  and  charm. 

At  the  age  of  five  or  six,  Jesus  would  begin  to  read  the 
Bible.  Probably  when  about  six  or  seven  he  began  to  attend 
day  school  in  the  synagogue,  that  very  synagogue  out  of 
which  his  infuriated  fellow-townsmen  years  later  led  him, 
eager  to  slay  him  on  account  of  the  sermon  he  had  preached 
to  them.  In  the  synagogue  school  he  would  study  the  Bible 
attentively,  and  become  interested  in  the  rabbinic  interpreta- 
tion of  the  law.  He  would  also  learn  to  write,  though  to  this 
accomplishment  some  Jewish  children  did  not  attain.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  the  penetrating  mind  of  Jesus,  even  in  his 
childhood,  discerned  the  hoUowness  and  falsity  of  many  of 
those  rabbinic  teachings  which,  in  later  years,  he  was  to 
oppose. 

Jesus'  First  Passover.— The  Jewish  boy  came  of  age  at 
thirteen,  when  it  was  his  duty  to  attend  the  passover  feast  in 
Jerusalem.  Jesus  anticipated  this  date  in  his  life  by  one 
year.  As  his  first  Passover  would  be  an  event  of  most  solemn 
import  to  him,  it  may  be  that  Mary  took  this  occasion  to 
tell  him  the  story  of  his  infancy.  This  story  would  be  told 
with  swelling  heart,  and  heard  with  absorbing  interest.  We 
can  imagine  Mary  and  her  son  walking  a  little  apart  from  the 
company  of  pilgrims,  while  she  told  him  those  "sayings" 
which  she  had  pondered  in  her  heart  for  twelve  years,  and 
perhaps  discussed  with  him  the  Messianic  promises  of  God 
which  were  contained  in  their  ancient  Scriptures. 

On  this  journey,  Jesus  would  join  with  the  other  pilgrims 
in  chanting  the  Songs  of  Ascents  (Ps.  120-134)  as  they 
travelled  southward.  If,  in  these  later  daj's.  Christians  repeat 
these  psalms  with  holy  delight,  who  can  measure  the  .spir- 
itual uplift  of  those  oppressed  but  hopeful  Jews  as,  recalling 


CHILDHOOD  AND  YOUTH. 


43 


the  promises  of  God,  they  sang  such  words  as  the  follow- 
ing: 

"  He  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 

Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel 
Shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep: 
Jehovah  is  thy  keeper." 

"  Unto  thee  do  I  lift  up  mine  eyes, 
O  thou  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens." 

"  They  that  trust  in  Jehovah 
Are  as  Mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  moved, 

but  abideth  forever. 
As  the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem, 
So  the  Lord  is  round  about  his  people,  * 

From  this  time  forth  and  forevermore." 

When  their  duties  in  connection  with  the  Passover  were 
ended,  Josepii  and  Mary  starred  homeward,  accompanied  by 
many  others  from  Galilee.  At  the  end  of  the  first  day  they 
discovered  that  Jesus  was  not  with  the  caravan.  Filled  with 
anxiety,  they  hurried  back  to  Jerusalem  in  search  of  him ; 
but  their  quest  was  not  successful  until  the  third  day,  when 
they  came  upon  him,  sitting  in  the  temple  with  a  group  of 
learned  Jews,  listening  to  their  discussions  and  asking  them 
qu(?stions.  It  is  likely  that  his  questions  related  to  the 
paschal  feast,  the  ceremonies  of  which  had  begun  a  few  days 
before  •  and  we  may  suppose  that  he  pointed  out  from  the 
Scriptures  the  spiritual  meaning  of  the  slain  lamb,  and  pro- 
posed to  the  rabbis  questions  concerning  the  identity  of  the 
Messiah  and  the  Lamb  of  God.  When  Joseph  and  Mary  at 
length  found  him,  Mary,  wearied  by  the  journey  and  search, 
and  fretted  by  her  fears,  said  to  him :  "Son,  why  hast  thou 
dealt  thus  with  us  ?  Behold  thy  father  and  I  sought  thee 
sorrowing. ' '  It  may  be  believed  that  Mary  never  spoke  more 
sharply  to  Jesus  than  on  this  occasion.  His  answer  shows 
that,  even  as  a  boy,  he  was  distinguished  by  that  calmness 
and  dignity  of  spirit  which  characterized  so  remarkably  his 


44 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


maturer  years :  "  How  is  it  that  ye  sought  me  ?  Wist  ye  not 
that  I  must  be  in  my  Father's  house  ?  "  Already  this  meek 
and  gentle  boy  felt  the  anointing  hand  of  his  Father  upon 
him,  setting  him  apart  to  be  the  Messiah  of  the  Jews,  the 
Saviour  of  the  world,  the  Son  of  God  with  power.  Joseph 
and  Mary  did  not  understand  the  answer  of  Jesus.  They 
could  not  see  the  horizon  which  his  vision  reached.  Sublim- 
ity and  simplicity  are  joined  in  this  wonderful  hour :  his 
answer  to  Mary  is  sublime ;  his  simplicity  is  matchless,  as  ^<) 
turns  from  his  Father's  house  to  accompany  these  Nazareth 
peasants  to  their  humble  home.  **  And  he  went  down  with 
them,  and  came  to  Nazareth  ;  and  he  was  subject  unto  them  ; 
and  his  mother  kept  all  these  sayings  in  her  heart."  There, 
in  picturesque  Nazareth,  he  grew  to  manhood,  his  wisdom 
increasing  with  his  stature.  He  was  loved  by  his  neighbors, 
and  the  devout  regarded  him  a^  one  upon  whom  the  favor  of 
God  rested.  ^^■'^.-■^-■v-v,t...v., ';:•?;'  -W'"-'"  ■' 

The  Second  Group  of  Silent  Years.— Eighteen  silent  years  t 
It  is  almost  certain  that  during  this  period  Jesus  worked 
as  a  carpenter  with  Joseph  :  "Is  not  this  the  carpenter?" 
asked  his  fellow-townsmen  when  he  preached  at  Nazareth. 
It  is  certain  that  he  studied  the  Scriptures  profoundly.  That 
he  studied  nature  and  affairs  also  is  shown  by  the  illustrations 
which  illuminate  his  discourses.  He  noticed  the  growing 
grain,  the  weeds  which  troubled  the  farmer,  the  lilies,  the 
birds  in  their  nests,  the  burrowing  foxes,  the  sparrows  offered 
for  sale  in  the  markets,  the  skies  with  their  signs  of  sunshine 
and  rain,  the  sports  and  jests  of  the  children  in  the  market- 
place, the  sheep  in  the  fold  and  the  field,  the  dress  and  food 
of  the  rich,  the  mercies  of  dogs  to  diseased  beggars,  and  so 
on.  Je.«ius  was  not  a  dreamer,  but  a  man  keenly  observant  of 
the  life  about  him.  He  was  a  boy  among  boys,  a  youth 
among  youths,  a  man  among  men.  He  felt  disappointment, 
as  boys  and  men  do  now,  and  knew  the  force  of  temptation  ; 
and  therefore  he  is  not  a  Friend  '^that  cannot  be  touched 


CHILDHOOD  AND  YOUTH. 


45 


with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities ;  but  one  that  hath  been 
in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin."  The 
years  of  discipline  and  temptation  in  Nazareth  were  as  really 
preparatory  to  his  work  for  men  as  the  forty  days'  tempta- 
tion in  the  wilderness  after  his  baptism. 


Rklatbd  ScRiPTURB.— Luke  2  :  40-52. 

QUESTI0N8AND  SUGGESTIONS.     ' 

1.  Name  in  order  all  the  events  of  Jesus'  first  thirty  years.  2. 
Note  which  of  these  are  named  by  Matthew  and  Luke  respec- 
tively. 8.  Describe  the  early  educational  training  of  a  Jewish 
boy.  4.  Bepeat  aloud  the  story  of  Jesus'  visit  to  Jerusalem 
when  twelve  years  old.  6.  Find  evidence  that,  as  a  boy,  Jesus 
v/as  popular  among  his  neighbors.  6.  State  reasons  for  believ- 
ing that  he  had  an  observing  mind.  7.  Find  evidence  that  he 
was  a  carpenter.  8.  In  what  respect  was  Jesus  most  conspicu- 
ously different  from  others  of  his  own  age? 


^. 


Vlil. 


THE  BAPTISM. 


\ 


I    I 


John  the  Baptist. — ^The  desolate  country  on  the  west  of  the 
Dead  Sea  is  furrowed  by  torrents  which,  in  times  of  freshet, 
flow  swiftly  eastward  to  the  sea.  It  is  called  the  "wilderness 
of  Judea."  About  the  year  26  A.  D.,  there  appeared  in  this 
wilderness  a  strange  preacher,  a  strong,  stern  man,  rugged  in 
character  and  rude  in  dress,  who  solemnly  called  upon  Israeli 
to  prepare  for  a  crisis,  which  he  declared  was  just  at  hand. 
This  was  that  John,  the  son  of  Elisabeth  and  Zacharias, 
whose  birth  and  name  were  announced  by  the  angel  Gabriel, 
and  at  whose  circumcision,  thirty  years  before,  the  neighbors 
and  cousins  of  Elisabeth  strongly  urged  that  his  name  be 
Zacharias  instead  of  John. 

Of  the  early  life  of  John  the  Baptist  even  less  is  known 
than  of  that  of  Jesus.  Except  the  brief  record,  "And  the 
child  grew,  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit,  and  was  in  the  deserts 
till  the  day  of  his  showing  unto  Israel,"  no  glimpse  of  his 
life  is  afforded  from  the  day  of  his  circumcision  until  the 
beginning  of  his  ministry.  When  at  length  he  emerged  from 
the  obscurity  which  enveloped  his  first  thirty  years,  he  spake 
in  the  manner  and  with  the  daring  of  one  of  the  ancient 
prophets.  Although  he  had  lived  in  seclusion,  his  rebukes 
proved  that  he  was  not  ignorant  of  prevailing  evils.  No 
mention  is  made  of  Zacharias  and  Elisabeth  after  the  day  on 
which  their  son  w'as  circumcised ;  and,  as  they  were  both  old 
then,  doubtless  they  died  some  years  before  his  ministry  be- 
gan. Perhaps  as  an  orphaned  and  only  child  his  sorrows  and 
fculitariness  helped  to  turn  him  toward  that  asceticism  in  which 
he  was  prepared  for  his  stern  work  as  the  Elijah  of  his  age. 
46 


THE   BAPTISM. 


47 


The  Message  of  the  Baptist.— ''Repent  ye,"  was  John's 
exhortation;  "for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,"  was 
his  argument.  The  phrase  ''kingdom  of  lieaveu,"  was  not 
understood  in  a  spiritual  sense  by  the  Jews.  To  their  ears 
John's  message  meant:  '^The  rule  of  the  Jewish  nation  by 
God  through  liis  Messiah  is  at  hand."  They  thought  that 
their  proud  Jewisit  hopes  were  about  to  be  realized,  and 
though  many  were  slow  to  bow  before  the  word  of  the  new 
prophet,  throughout  the  land  there  was  intense  excitement. 
"The  people  were  in  expectation."  They  felt  that  they 
were  on  the  eve  of  extraordinary  events.  Some  believed  that 
this  wilderness  prophet  was  himself  the  Messiah.  This  mis- 
conception John  corrected  promptly,  and  bade  the  people  be 
ready  for  the  coming  of  one  "mightier"  than  he,  whose 
shoes  he  was  "  not  worthy  to  bear."  The  preparation  which 
he  demanded  was  moral.  When  the  crowds  asked  what  they 
should  do  to  prepare  for  the  coming  of  the  Messiah,  he  com- 
manded  them  to  show  a  change  of  mind  by  ceasing  to  do 
evil.  The  sign  of  this  repentance  was  the  rite  of  baptism,  to 
which  he  required  all  to  submit  who  would  prepare  for  the 
coming  of  the  king.  ; 

The  Baptism  of  Je8as.~The  message  of  John  reached 
Jesus  in  his  Galilean  home,  and  he  hastened  to  the  Jordan  to 
seek  baptism.  Though  in  his  sinless  nature  there  could  be 
no  response  to  the  call  "llepent  j'e,"  he  not  less  than  others 
had  a  supreme  duty  in  connection  with  the  great  fact  stated 
by  John  in  the  words,  "  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand." 
If  others  must  prepare  for  that  kingdom,  he  not  less ;  they 
by  repentance,  he  by  a  public  consecration  of  himself  to  the 
work  for  which  God  had  anointed  him,  namely,  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  by  the  sacrifice  of  him- 
self He  signified  his  readiness  for  his  part  in  the  new  king- 
doji  by  seekin.a:  baptism  at  the  hand  of  John. 

John  most  likely  did  not  know  who  Jesus  was  when  he 
applied  to  him  for  baptism.     Though  related  through 


4a  'h 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


mothers,  probably  they  had  never  met,  except,  perhaps,  as 
little  children  before  the  death  of  Elisabeth.  But  as  soon  aa 
the  Baptist  looked  upon  the  Christ  he  seems  to  have  discerned 
the  loftly  spiritual  character  of  the  stranger.  *'  I  have  need 
to  be  baptized  of  thee,"  he  said,  *^and  comest  thou  to  me?" 
To  this  objection  Jesus  replied  simply,  **  Suffer  it  now ;  for 
thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfill  uU  righteousness."  John  was 
silenced,  and  the  two  men  went  down  into  the  Jordan  ;  and 
there  Jesus  was  buried  in  baptism,  and  rose  again,  as  three 
years  later  he  would  be  buried  in  the  grave  and  rise  tri- 
umphant after  three  days. 

The  Messiah  Recognized.— When  John  baptized  Jesus 
in  the  waters  of  the  Jordan,  he  was  not  fully  aware  that  his 
hands  were  upon  the  Messiah.  He  was  waiting  for  a  sign. 
In  some  previous  hour  of  fellowship  with  God  he  bad  learned 
that  when  he  saw  the  Holy  Ghost  descending  and  abiding 
upon  a  man,  he  should  know  that  the  Messiah  was  before 
him.  That  sign  he  would  see  soon.  After  the  baptism, 
Jesus  went  up  out  of  the  water  immediately,  and  prayed ; 
and  then  a  wonderful  thing  occurred.  The  skies  seemed  to 
be  torn  open,  and  through  the  rent  there  came  downward 
swiftly  a  form  having  the  appearance  of  a  dove.  This  rested 
on  the  praying  man  at  the  river  side.  It  was  the  Holy  Spirit. 
John  saw  and  believed.  The  Messiah  had  come.  This  was 
he  who  should  baptize  "  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire." 

A  second  wonder  followed  soon.  As  the  Holy  Spirit  had 
come  in  dove-like  form  and  flight  from  the  skies,  so  now 
there  falls  "a  voice  out  of  the  heavens  saying,  This  is  my 
beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."  The  Christ  had 
been  baptized  and  had  prayed  ;  the  Spirit  had  descended ; 
the  Father  had  spoken.  Here  in  the  hour  of  baptism  were 
manifested  God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy 
Ghost.  He  who  a  short  time  before  was  dwelling  in  Nazareth, 
with  no  rank  higher  than  that  of  carpenter,  now  in  this  sub- 
lime hour  is  recognized  by  John  and  proclaimed  by  the  Father 


THE   BAPTISM. 


49 


as  tho  **Son  of  God."  The  quiet  and  peace  of  obscurity 
end.  Ho  may  never  know  again  that  unharassed  home  life 
in  which  he  spent  his  first  thirty  years.  He  has  entered  the 
path  in  which  he  will  find  his  work,  and  his  woe,  duty,  and 
death.  Though  as  his  feet  touch  the  threshold  of  his  public 
ministry  he  hears  the  glorious  testimony  of  Gud,  ''This  is 
my  beloved  Son,"  and  feels  as  it  were  the  kiss  of  his  Father 
upon  his  lips,  before  he  shall  have  crossed  that  threshold  the 
storm  of  darkness  and  hate  will  break  upon  his  head. 


Belated  Scbipturk.— Matt  8  :  1-17 ;  Mark  1 :  1-11 ;  Luke 
8 :  1-22. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Glance  rapidly  over  the  headings  of  the  seven  preceding 
studies.  2.  Review  the  story  of  Qabriel's  appearance  to  Zacba- 
rias  in  the  temple.  8.  Read  Zacharias'  hymn.  4.  Read  the 
account  of  the  naming  of  John.  5.  How  much  is  known  of 
John's  first  thirty  years?  6.  In  how  many  of  the  Gospels  do 
we  find  an  account  of  John's  preaching?  7.  Which  account  is 
most  complete?  8.^  Compare  the  various  accounts,  noting 
difierences  and  resemblances.  9.  Find  on  the  map  the  "  Wilder- 
ness of  Judea"  (see  Lesson  I).  10.  What  was  the  moaning  of 
John's  message?  11.  Find  evidence  that  he  had  observed  the 
common  sins  of  his  day.  12.  Read  the  history  of  Elijah,  and 
notice  in  what  respects  John  resembled  him. 


i 


IX. 


THE  TEMPTATION. 


Driven  by  the  Spirit. — Was  Jesus  quulified  to  be  the 
Saviour  of  the  world  ?  Could  he  demonstrate  his  supremacy 
in  the  realm  of  righteousness  ?  The  innocent  Adam  had  fallen 
before  the  cunning  of  Satan ;  would  the  sinless  Jesus  come 
forth  unstained  if  subjected  to  the  assaults  of  this  hitherto  uu- 
conqucred  intriguer  of  the  world?  The  test  was  soon  to  occur. 

The  baptismal  hour  was  crowned  with  glory  and  honor. 
The  Father,  as  if  with  divine  luve  and  pride,  acknowledged 
his  Son.  Who  can  measure  the  joy  and  holy  exaltation  of 
that  Son  in  this  hour  ? 

Out  of  light  Jesus  was  led  immediately  into  darkness. 
From  the  Jordan  he  was  "driven"  by  the  Spirit  into  the 
"  wilderness. ' '  Wild  beasts  were  there,  savage  and  treacher- 
ous. Satan  also  was  there — malignant,  cunning,  and  bent  on 
the  eternal  ruin  of  this  "Son  of  Man." 

It  is  certain  that  from  the  first  Jesus  understood  fully  that 
his  work  of  saving  the  world  must  be  done  in  a  realm  of  sor- 
row, pain,  and  humiliation.  The  circumstances  of  the  case 
lead  to  the  supposition  that  when  Vie  went  into  the  wilderness 
to  be  tempted  of  the  devil,  these  four  thoughts  were  dwelling 
in  his  mind  :  First,  that  he  was  the  Son  of  God  ;  second,  that 
his  life  was  to  be  lived  and  all  his  singular  powers  employed 
with  a  self-forgetful  and  lofty  moral  purpose ;  third,  that  he 
was  not  to  win  the  allegiance  of  his  people  by  rushing  suddenly 
upon  their  attention  from  some  cloud  of  glory  or  mystery,  but 
by  revealing  to  them  in  the  quiet  of  gracious  teachings  and 
tender  compassions  the  cliarivcter  of  true  man  and  true  God  ; 
and  fourth,  that  his  conquest  of  the  nations  of  the  world  must 

6U 


THE  TEMPTATION. 


61 


be  made  sfowly  and  laboriously,  in  shame  and  suffering,  and 
not  by  8uddcn  strokes  or  shrewd  strategies  and  compromiHcs. 
Witi)  such  conceptions)  of  iiis  work  he  met  the  terrible  tempter. 
Ilia  temptation  was  neither  accidental  nor  the  result  solely  of 
Satan's  malice.  Not  by  wicked  men  nor  cunning  demons,  but 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  was  he  led  forth  to  this  mightiest  battle 
known  to  the  ages ;  for  only  by  vanquishing  the  supreme 
adversary  could  he  demonstrate  his  competency,  and  at  the 
same  time  qualify  his  soul,  to  redeem  the  lost  and  succor  them 
that  are  tempted. 

The  Forty  Days'  Fast.— ^For  forty  days  the  contest  went 
on  between  the  tempter  and  the  tempted.  Things  which  the 
eye  s<\w  not  and  ear  heard  not,  and  which  entered  not  into 
the  heart  of  man,  Jesus  endured.  So  terrible  was  the  agony 
of  his  soul,  that  during  all  these  dark  days  and  dreadful  nights 
he  was  unconscious  of  physical  needs,  and  ate  nothing.  Moses 
and  Elijah  fasted  during  a  like  period,  but  neither  of  these 
knew  such  wrestlings  as  wearied  the  soul  of  the  Son  of  Man. 
Edersheim.  cniuparing  these  three  fasts,  says  :  "  Moses  fasted 
in  the  v  '  ,  jle,  Elgah  at  the  end,  Jesus  at  the  beginning,  of 
his  niiiuiitry.  Moses  fasted  in  the  presence  of  God ;  Elijah 
alone ;  Jesus  assaulted  by  the  devil.  Moses  had  been  called 
up  by  Gt)d ;  Elijah  had  gone  forth  in  the  bitterness  of  his  own 
spirit;  Jesus  was  driven  by  the  Spirit.  Moses  failed  after 
Iiis  forty  days'  fast,  when  in  indignation  he  cast  the  tables 
of  the  law  from  him  ;  Elijah  failed  before  his  forty  days'  fast ; 
Jesus  was  assaulted  for  forty  d.ays  and  endured  the  trial. 
Moses  was  angry  against  Israel ;  Elijah  despaired  of  Israel ; 
Jesus  overcame  for  Israel. "  -,  ,-  ■•'  "vv^im. 

At  the  end  of  forty  days,  Jesus  becomes  keenly  aware  of 
his  need  of  food,  and  it  is  at  this  juncture  that  Satan,  taking 
advantage  of  his  physical  distress,  gathers  all  his  powers  for 
the  culminating  assault.  Can  the  weary  Jesus,  exhausted  and 
unnerved  by  long  vigils  and  unspeakable  struggles,  endure  this 
final  and  fiercest  attack  ?    Awful  conseauences  are  in  the 


52 


THE   LIFE   OF  JESCS. 


ill 

iii! 


balance.  If  he  fails,  heaven  will  be  dishonored  and  hell 
triumphant.  If  he  fails,  the  Son  of  God  will  become  the 
serf  of  Satan  and  the  world  must  be  lost  forever.  The 
renewed  assault  takes  the  form  of  three  temptations. 

The  First  Temptation.— First  in  order  is  tiie  bread  tempt- 
ation. 

Satan  speaks  :  '*  If  thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  command  that 
these  stones  become  bread." 

Jesus  answers :  "  It  is  written,  Man  shall  not  live  by  bread 
alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of 
God." 

Only  a  famishing  man  can  realize  the  force  of  the  tempta- 
tion lying  in  the  suggestion  to  change  into  wholesome  bread 
the  harsh  stones  of  the  wilderness.  Nothing  less  than  a  self- 
control  at  once  *neffable  and  glorious  could  rescue  this  man, 
whose  nerves  were  shaken  by  his  long  struggle,  and  who  was 
now  suflFering  the  pangs  of  dire  hunger,  from  the  impulse  to 
allay  his  tortures  by  creating  bread.  But  perhaps  a  yet  more 
subtle  and  powerful  temptation  lay  in  the  crafty  insinuation 
that  he  was  deceived  in  believing  himself  to  be  the  Son  of 
God.  An  "if"  is  often  more  piercing  and  destractive  than 
a  sword.  After  enduring  diabolical  persecution  for  forty  days, 
it  would  have  comforted  him  infinitely  to  receive  renewed 
assurance  of  his  divine  sonship,  especially  by  a  transaction 
which  would  silence  his  persecutor.  But  using  a  text  as  a 
defending  shaft,  the  tempted  foiled  the  craft  of  the  tempter, 
and  the  Son  of  Man  was  yet  "without  sin." 

The  Second  Temptation.— In  the  temple  temptation, 
Satan  makes  his  appearance  from  another  side.  *  There  is 
again  that  subtle  insinuation  of  the  phrase,  "If  thou  art  the 
Son  of  God  "  ;  for  the  tempter,  if  he  can,  will  arouse  a  doubt, 
knowing  that  battles  are  half  won  when  faith  weakens ;  but 
the  supreme  force  of  this  assault  seems  to  lie  in  its  appeal  to 
Jesus  to  launch  himself  upon  the  notice  of  the  Jews  in  a 
manner  which  will  command  at  once  their  admiration  and 


/,/•. 


THE  TEMPTATION. 


•  I' 


53 


allegiance.  They  arc  looking  for  the  Messiah  to  appear  sud- 
denly and  strangely.  If  he  will  drop  among  them  in  the 
temple,  his  coming  glorified  by  the  companionship  of  angels, 
wi.n  shall  check  his  downward  speed  to  prevent  him  from 
being  dashed  to  pieces  as  he  alights,  all  the  Jewish  nation 
will  hail  him  with  acclamation  and  homage,  and  instantly 
his  leadership  will  be  put  beyond  dispute.  To  gain  command 
of  the  Jewish  people  was  an  immediate  purpose  of  Jesus' 
earthly  ministry,  and  Satan  now  suggests  a  method  by  which 
this  can  be  done  without  pain,  and  quickly.  Jerusalem  is  the 
scene  of  the  temptation.  Jesus  and  the  tempter  are  looking 
down  from  a  pinnacle  of  the  temple.  -' 

Satan  speaks:  "If  thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  cast  thyself 
down;  for  it  is  written. 

He  shall  give  his  angels  charge  concerning  thee; 
And  on  their  hands  they  shall  bear  thee  up, 
Lest  haply  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone." 

Jesus  answers :  "Again  it  is  written,  Thou  shalt  not  tempt 
the  Lord  thy  God." 

A  second  time  the  tempter  is  foiled  by  the  Son  of  Man. 

The  Third  Temptation.— Like  the  first,  the  scene  of  the 
tliird  temptation  is  laid  in  the  wilderness.  It  is  the  world- 
kingdom  temptation.  Satan  does  not  again  attempt  to  in- 
sinuate a  doubt  into  the  mind  of  Jesus  in  regard  to  his  divine 
sonship,  but,  as  if  granting  that  this  is  no  longer  to  be  ques- 
tioned, offers  him  great  gain  in  return  for  a  momentary  act  of 
homage.  Jesus  desires  to  possess  the  kingdoms  of  the  world, 
not  that  he  may  enjoy  the  glory  of  them,  but  that  he  may 
purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 
In  his  days  of  meditation  in  Nazareth,  and  in  those  luminous 
moments  of  revelation  which  followed  his  baptism,  he  doubt- 
less saw  that  this  goal  could  be  reached  only  by  a  long  and 
dreary  path  which  led  sadly  onward  through  savage  wilder- 
nesses of  hatred,  anguish,  and  death.     But  here  there  i?  pre' 


I 


54 


(  I 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


sented  to  him  an  opportunity  to  reach  tlie  goal  at  a  bound. 
Let  him  perform  this  single  act  of  homage  and  the  kingdoms 
shall  be  his.  Then  he  can  mold  them  to  his  will.  Why  may 
he  not  do  momentary  evil  for  the  sake  of  enduring  good  ?  It 
is  the  net  in  which  myriads  have  been  taken  captive  by  Satan 
at  his  will.  But  on  this  day  the  temptation  is  thrust  away 
with  a  swiftness  and  scorn  which  could  have  been  no  less  than 
appalling  to  the  tempter.  In  form,  the  third  temptation  was 
as  follows: 

r  Satan  speaks:  "All  these  things  will  I  give  thee,  if  thou 
wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me. "  ;»  ^  v   ;■'..?    ..;. 

Jesus  answers  :  "Get  thee  hence,  Satan  ;  for  it  is  written, 
Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt 
thou  serve." 

Thus  the  sublime  duel  ended.  In  the  first  and  second  cases 
the  temptation  was  thrust  away,  in  the  third  case  the  tempta- 
tion was  resisted  and  the  tempter  put  to  flight. 

"  Then  the  devil  leaveth  him."  Who  can  measure  Jesus' 
exhaustion  in  this  hour  of  victory  ?  In  imagination  we  can 
see  him  sinking  to  the  ground,  like  one  whose  strength  is 
utterly  spent.  Now,  if  ever,  he  needs  to  be  "ministered 
unto";  and  as  by  angels  his  birth  had  been  heralded  and 
hailed,  and  his  infancy  tenderly  guarded,  so  now  his  weariness 
and  hunger  are  alleviated  by  their  ministries.  "And  behold, 
angols  came  and  ministered  unto  him."     ■'•'i  •■'  •■  ■  '    .«  ' 


n?;".:',. -s: 


*  Related  Scripture.— Matt.  4  : 1-11 ;  Mark  1 :  12, 18;  Luke 
4:  1-13.     ^ 

;;.^..  .  -i  .'.       ..  :*-  s' .    ','i^-!s^s;    ^  »"  '*■'  -  ' '    ''  .     ■^•*- 

f  ?.  -.  .   .  -r  ■  .- 

Note —Read  the  accounts  of  the  temptation  as  given  by 
Matthew,  Mark,  and  Luke.  Observe  that  Luke  changes  the 
order  of  the  second  and  third  temptations.  Notice  the  differ- 
ences in  the  three  accounts.  Study  this  lesson  alone.  Try  to 
realize  the  scene,  and  to  appreciate  the  significance  of  Christ's 
victory.  ^      .„  .  .     ..;.,;    ,  .,  ..... 


THE  TEMPTATION. 


55 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  "What  happened  to  Jesus  immediately  after  his  baptism? 
2.  Which  of  the  evangelists  speaUs  of  "  wild  beasts"  in  the  wil- 
derness? 3.  Which  states  that  Jesus  was  "  driven  "  into  the  wil- 
derness? 4.  During  how  long  a  period  was  Jesus  tempted?  5. 
Compare  the  fasts  of  Moses  and  Elijah  with  that  of  Jesus?  6. 
Name  the  three  temptations  in  the  order  given  by  Matthew? 
7.  Commit  to  memory  Satan's  words  and  Jesus'  answer  in  each 
of  the  temptations.  8.  Wherein  lay  the  peculiar  force  of  each 
temptation?  ■      „     .  ^ 


REVIEW  QUESTIONS.  ->* 

1.  What  are  the  names  of  the  principal  highlands  and  low- 
lands of  Palestine?  2,  Describe  the  Maccaboan  period,  8.  Who 
were  the  Pharisees,  and  how  did  they  differ  from  the  Sadducees? 
4.  Where  was  Zacharias  when  the  birth  of  John  was  foretold? 
6.  Tell  the  story  of  the  presentation  in  the  temple.  6.  Give  an 
account  of  Jesus'  first  Passover.    7.  Describe  his  baptism. 


X. 


■H 


JESUS  MADE  KNOWN 

John  the  Baptist  Tempted. — On  one  occasion  Jesus  said  : 
"Among  them  that  are  born  of  women  there  is  none  greater 
than  John."  Nowhere  is  the 'greatness  of  this  man  more 
conspicuous  than  in  those  scenes  in  which  his  disregard  for 
himself  and  his  own  popularity  are  made  to  appear.  From 
egotism  and  envy  he  was  totally  free.  As  the  Christ  tri- 
umphed over  temptation  in  the  solitudes  of  the  wilderness, 
so  the  Baptist,  though  in  less  agonizing  wrestlings,  triumphed 
over  temptation  amid  the  multitude  that  came  to  the  Jordan 
as  he  preached  and  baptized.  Jesus  met  three  teniptations  ; 
John  met  three  tempting  questions  ;  and  the  narrative  war- 
rants the  conjecture  that  these  two  men,  the  harbinger  and 
the  Saviour,  were  both  tempted  on  the  same  day. 

Jerusalem  was  so  stirred  by  rumors  concerning  the  rugged 
prophet  of  the  wilderness,  that  a  deputation  of  priests  and 
Levites  was  sent  to  the  Jordan  to  question  him  with  respect 
to  his  character  and  authority.  When  i.hey  arrived,  John  had 
been  living  for  forty  days  't.  the  n»emory  of  the  events  which 
att  >ded  the  baptism  of  Jesus.  Doubtless  he  had  been  tell- 
ing his  own  disciples  that  the  other  Baptist,  that  one  greater 
than  he,  who  would  baptize  "with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire,'  had  come  and  might  be  expected  to  enter  upon  his  high 
mission  at  any  time.  If  perplexed  by  the  disappearance  of 
Jesus  fo  so  many  days,  his  faith  did  not  waver,  as  appeared 
when  the  deputation  began  to  question  him.  The' dialogue 
was  as  follows  : 

"Who  art  thou?" 

"lam  not  the  Christ." 
66 


JESUS  MADE  KNOWN. 


67 


"  Art  tljou  Elijah?" 

''I  am  not." 

'' Art  thou  the  prophet  ?  " 

"No."    • 

The  questions  were  in  a  descending  scale,  which  woula  put 
the  temptations  in  an  ascending  scale.  But  even  the  greater 
temptation  to  claim  the  smaller  eminence,  or  at  leasi  to  hint 
at  his  resemblance  to  Elijah  or  the  prophet  of  whom  Moses 
spoke,  had  no  power  over  him. 

Sinca  John  disavowed  so  much,  it  was  inevitable  that  he 
should  be  challenged  to  show  by  what  authority  he  exercised 
the  functions  of  a  prophet.  His  questioners  again  addressed 
him  : 

"Who  art  thou?  That  we  may  give  an  answer  to  them 
that  sent  us." 

"I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness.  Make 
straight  the  way  of  the  Lord." 

"Why  then  baptizest  thou,  if  thou  art  not  the  Christ, 
neither  Elijah,  neither  the  prophet?  " 

"I  baptize  with  water;  in  the  midst  of  you  standeth  one 
whom  ye  know  not,  even  he  that  cometh  after  me,  the  latchet 
of  whose  shoe  I  am  not  worthy  to  unloose." 

Here  was  &  man  who  magnified  his  office,  but  welcomed 
self-eflFacoment  in  the  presence  of  one  who  was  higher  than 
he.     Such  humility  the  world  has  rarely  seen. 

Jesns'  First  Disciples.— On  the  following  day  Jesus  re- 
turned from  the  wilderness.  As  John  saw  him  coming  near, 
he  said  to  those  who  stood  with  him,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  Then  he 
made  known  that  this  was  that  Greater  One  of  whom  he  had 
spoken  in  all  his  teaching,  for  whose  coming  he  had  been  sent 
to  prepare,  and  whom  he  had  recognized  after  his  baptism  by 
a  sign  which  God  had  given  him  ;  adding.  "  And  I  have  seen, 
and  haveborne  witness  that  this  is  the  Son  of  God."  "Lamb 
of  God,"  "Son  of  God:"  by  these  titles  John  announces 


^' 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


the  Anointed  to  the  world.  Was  he  thinkinaj  of  the  lamb 
slain  in  the  daily  sacrifices  ?  or  of  the  paschal  lamb,  whose 
blood,  in  a  figure,  sheltered  the  homes  of  the  Israelites  ?  or 
of  that  "servant"  of  the  Lord,  whom  Isaiah  described  "as 
a  lamb  that  is  led  to  the  slaughter?"  It  maybe  that  his 
thought  included  all  three  of  these,  the  terms  of  prophecy, 
and  the  symbols  of  the  sacrifices,  growing  luminous  as  he 
looked  upon  the  Son  of  God  manifested  in  the  flesh,  to  be 
"wounded  for  our  transgressions"  and  "bruised  for  our 
iniquities."  But  though  John's  testimony  was  so  clear  and 
impressive  in  that  day,  no  disciple  was  won  to  Jesus. 

The  next  day  John  was  standing  with  Andrew  and  John, 
the  brother  of  James,  when  Jesus  passed  near.  Pointing 
him  out  to  them,  he  said,  as  on  tlie  previous  day,  "Behold, 
the  Lamb  of  God  !  "  On  the  former  occasion  he  had  spokea 
to  many,  apparently,  and  no  one  followed  Jesus ;  now  he 
speaks  to  two,  and  both  of  them  leave  the  Baptist  that  they 
may  abide  for  a  day  with  the  Christ.  If  at  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning  they  began  to  follow,  somewhat  doubting,  when  the 
day  was  spent  they  returned  fully  believing.  A  third  disciple 
was  added  that  same  day.  These  two  men  had  no  will  to 
conceal  their  glorious  discovery.  Andrew  "  findeth  first  his 
own  brother,  Simon,  and  saith  unto  him,  we  have  found  the 
Messiah.  He  brought  him  to  Jesus.  Jesus  looked  upon  him, 
and  said,  "Thou  art  Simon  the  son  of  John  ;  thou  shalt  be 
called  Cephas." 

On  the  following  day  Jesus  set  out  for  a  short  visit  in  Gali- 
lee, accompanied  by  his  three  disciples,  John,  Andrew,  and 
Peter,  Perhaps  it  was  while  they  were  on  the  way  that  a 
fourth  was  added,  in  the  person  of  Philip.  He  was  .a  fellow- 
townsman  of  Andrew  and  Peter,  and  it  may  be  that  their 
testimony  regarding  his  devoutness  had  something  to  do  with 
Jesus'  invitation  to  him,  "Follow  me."  Philip's  worthiness 
was  soon  made  known  by  his  works.  Before  the  day  was 
ended  he  had  brought  Nathanael  to  Jesus.     Nathanael's 


JESUS  MADE  KNOWN. 


59 


home  was  in  Cana,  whither  they  were  journeying,  and  it  is 
probable  that  Plaiip  hurried  on  ahead  of  the  little  company 
to  make  known  that  the  Messiah,  for  whose  coming  he  knew 
that  his  friend  was  praying,  had  already  appeared  and  was 
near  Cana.  Nathanael's  first  doubts  were  instantly  scattered 
when  he  saw  Jesus,  and  he  became  the  fiftii  disciple ;  and 
when  Jesus  entered  Cana,  where  he  would  soon  work  his 
first  "sign,"  he  was  attended  by  five  "  believers,"  who  were 
of  such  quality  that  when,  long  after,  he  selected  twel.e  men 
to  become  apostles,  each  of  these  was  chosen. 

The  First  Miracle.— On  the  third  day  after  their  arrival 
in  Cana,  Jesus  and  his  disciples,  who  probably  had  been  the 
guests  of  Nathanael  in  the  meantime,  attended  a  marriage 
feast  to  which  they  had  been  invited.  Among  the  guests  was 
Mary,  the  mother  of  Jesus,  who  had  come  across  from  Naza- 
reth to  join  in  the  festivities  of  the  occasion.  It  was  duriner 
the  progress  of  this  feast  that  Jesus  performed  his  first  mira- 
cle. Mary  discovered  that  the  wine  was  becoming  scarce, 
and  reported  this  fact  to  Jesus,  perhaps  expecting,  from  her 
knowledge  of  his  sagacity  and  inveniiiveness,  that  he  would 
devise  some  means  of  securing  a  new  supply.  Something  in 
her  manner  must  have  manifested  a  sense  of  pre-eminence 
over  him,  and  a  failure  to  realize  that  he  had  gone  out  from 
her  home  into  the  world  to  do  the  work  for  which  he  had 
been  anointed  by  his  Heavenly  Father ;  and  as  eighteen  years 
before  he  had  said  to  her,  "  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  in  my 
father's  house,"  so  now  he  says,  "Woman,  what  have  I  to 
do  with  thee?  Mine  hour  is  not  yet  come."  Henceforth  he 
must  stand  before  the  world,  not  as  the  son  of  Mary,  but  as 
the  Son  of  Man.  That  there  was  tenderness  in  his  tone  and 
manner  as  he  spoke  these  repelling  words  is  clear  from  their 
effect  on  Mary.  Turning  quietly  and  confidently  to  the  ser- 
vants, she  said:  "Whatsoever  he  saith  unto  you,  doit." 
This  they  did  soon  after,  when  he  bade  them  bring  water 
and  fill  six  largo  stone  jars  which  were  standing  near,  and 


6a 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESITS. 


I 


again  when  he  directed  them  to  draw  out  from  the  jars  and 
bear  to  the  "ruler  of  the  feast."  Tliia  functionary,  having 
tasted  of  the  water  which  liad  been  made  wine,  called  to  the 
bridegroom,  with  much  of  heartiness  and  something  of  rough- 
ness, to  applaud  the  superior  quality  of  the  beverage,  quite 
ignorant  of  the  miracle  by  which  it  had  been  produced. 
"But  the  servants  which  had  drawn  the  water  knew,"  they 
being  the  first,  doubtless,  to  discover  that  the  water  had  be- 
come wine.  The  news,  however,  spread  quickly,  and  the 
five  disc'ples  were  confiriiied  in  their  faith. 

Within  a  week,  Jesus  had  been  made  known  in  three  wsys. 
First  there  was  the  testimony  of  John  tiie  Baptist;  then 
came  his  self-revelation  to  his  disciples,  first  to  John  and 
Andrew,  then  to  Peter,  next  to  PhiUp,  and  finally  to  Nathan- 
ael,  or  Bartholomew,  as  he  is  commonly  called  in  the  New 
Testament.  The  third  manifestation  was  at  Cann,  where  he 
did  "  this  beginning  of  signs  .  .  .  and  manifested  his  glory. " 
By  this  three-fold  cord  these  five  men,  the  nucleus  of  the 
Christian  church,  were  bound  to  him  for  life  and  for  death. 

When  the  marriage  feast  was  ended,  Jesus,  accompanied 
by  his  mother,  "brethren,"  and  disciples,  went  northward 
and  visited  for  a  few  days  in  Capernaum,  a  city  which  he 
afterward  chose  as  his  headquarters  during  his  Galilean  min- 
istry. His  first  disciples  had  been  won,  and  his  first  miracle 
performed,  but  his  public  ministry  was  not  yet  begun.  It 
would  begin  soon  in  Judea. 

Relatkd  Scripture.— John  1  :  19  to  2  :  12. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  During  his  first  thirtj'  years,  how  was  Jesus  connected  with 
the  following  places :  Bethlehem,  Jerusalem,  Egypt,  Nazareth, 
the  "Jordan,"  the  "wilderness,"  Bethany  (A.  V.,  Be'thabara), 
and  Cana?  2.  What  relation  to  his  life  had  the  following  per- 
sons: Caesar  Augustus,  Simeon,  Anna,  Herod  the  Great, 
Archelaus,  and  John  the  Baptist?    3.  Find  evidences  of  great- 


JESUS   MADE   KNOWN. 


61 


ness  in  John  tho  Baptist.  4.  Describe  the  interview  between 
John  and  the  deputation  of  "priests  and  Lovites"  from  Jerusa- 
lem. What  happened  on  the  day  after  this  interview?  6.  What 
two  titles  did  John  give  Jesus  on  that  day?  7.  Show  the  appro- 
priateness of  the  title,  "Lamb  of  God."  8.  Who  were  Jesus' 
first  two  disciples?  9.  Whose  disciples  had  they  been  be/ore? 
10.  Consider  whether  their  readiness  to  forsake  John  for  Jesus 
was  the  intended  result  of  John's  own  teaching.  11.  Who  was 
the  first  man  to  bring  an  "inquirer"  to  Jesus?  12.  Who  was  the 
firbt  man  to  whom  Jesus  said,  "Follow  me"?  13.  Who  ^vaa 
the  second  man  to  bring  an  "  inquirer"  to  Jesus?  14.  How  was 
Nathanael  persuaded  that  Jesus  was  the  Messiah  ?  15.  Describe 
Jesus'  first  miracle.  16.  In  what  three  ways  was  Jesus  made 
known  as  the  Messiah  within  a  week  after  his  temptation  in  the 
wilderness?    17.  Name  the  first  five  disciples. 

•      ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lesson  VI-X. 

NoTS.— The  student  should  compel  himself  to  commit  this  to 
memory. 
12.  Flight  into  Egypt 
18.  Slaughter  of  the  Innocents. 

14.  Return  to  Nazareth. 

15.  Childhood  at  Nazareth. 

16.  Visit  to  Jerusalem  when  Twelve  Years  Old. 

17.  Eighteen  years  at  Nazareth. 

18.  Ministry  of  John  the  Baptist. 

19.  Baptism  of  Jesus. 

20.  Temptation  of  Jesus. 

21.  John's  Testimony  before  the  Priests  and  Levites. 

22.  Jesus  Anointed  as  the  Lamb  of  God. 

23.  The  First  Five  Disciples. 

24.  The  First  Miracle. 

25.  Sojourn  in  Capernaum. 


%  4 


.11  ijlijll 


. 


1  .       r 


*  THE  MINISTRY  REQUN.         * *'       '      '" 

The  Freparaticn  Complete. — Jesus  was  now  ready  to  enter 
upon  his  public  ministry.  The  quiet  years  in  Nazareth  had 
prepared  him  to  ^o  in  and  out  among  men  with  tliat  compre- 
hension of  their  daily  lives  which  is  born  of  experience.  His 
baptism  had  been  his  announcement  that  he  was  ready  for 
his  part  in  the  establishment  of  the  heavenly  kingdom,  and 
had  furnished  the  occasion  for  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
upon  him,  and  the  proclamation  of  the  Father  that  this  was 
the  Son  in  whom  he  was  well  pleased.  The  temptation  in 
the  wilderness  had  completed  his  spiritual  preparation  for  his 
great  conflict  with  the  sin  of  the  world,  and  had  demonstrated 
his  supremacy  in  the  realm  of  righteousness.  As  he  returned 
from  the  wilderness,  his  face  was  turned  resolutely  toward  all 
that  awaited  him  as  the  Redeemer  of  the  human  race. 

Within  the  few  days  following  the  temptation,  a  threefold 
witness  had  been  given  to  his  Messianic  character.  John, 
who  had  come  to  bear  witness  of  him,  declared  to  the  choicest 
of  his  disciples  that  this  was  the  Son  of  God.  These  disciples 
of  John,  when  they  had  spent  a  day  in  the  company  of  Jesus, 
came  back  telling  eagerly  that  they  had  found  the  Messiali. 
Almost  immediately  after  this,  the  miracle  at  Cana  added 
confirmation  to  what  these  early  disciples  believed.  His  cre- 
dentials were  suflScient ;  and  when  he  returned  from  Galilee 
to  enter  upon  his  public  work,  he  was  accompanied  by  at  least 
five  well-taught,  sagacious,  and  holy  men,  who  believed  that 
he  was  the  Anointed  of  God. 

The  Passover. — After  spending  a  few  days  in  Capernaum, 
Jesus  went  up  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  Passover.  As  this 
62 


THE   MINISTRY    REQUN. 


was  the  first  Pussovor  of  his  public  ministry,  it  was  nn  occa- 
sion of  grent  interest.  A  fow  days  before,  lie  had  been  an- 
nounced as  the  Lamb  of  God  ;  at  this  feast  the  Lamb  of  God 
would  see  the  slaying  of  the  paschal  lamb  in  those  ceremonies 
which  for  centuries  had  pointed  to  his  own  coming  and  death, 
and  to  the  salvation  of  men  through  the  shedding  of  his  blood. 
Hero  also  he  would  exhibit  that  zeal  for  his  Father's  house 
which  should  make  for  him  constant  friends  and  bitter  ene- 
mies ;  for  until  the  day  of  his  death  Annas  hated  him  as  a 
meddlesome  upstart,  and  Nicodcmus  retained  memories  of 
him  so  tender  that  when  he  was  dead  lie  brought  for  liis  burial 
a  ''mixture  of  myrrh  and  aloes,  about  a  hundred  pound 
weight."  '  •     •        -       •      •  •  ' 

IMultitudes  came  to  the  Passover  from  all  parts  of  Pales- 
tine, and  from  the  distant  cities  whither  the  Jews  had  scat- 
tered or  where  proselytes  had  been  won.  In  the  throngs  that 
crowded  the  thoroughfares  leading  to  the  temple,  Jesus  might 
see  strangers  from  Africa,  or  the  far  East,  or  the  provinces  of 
Asia  Minor,  or  from  Home.  Dare  we  attempt  to  imagine  the 
emotions  with  which  he  witnessed  the  formal  zeal  of  these  lost 
sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel?  As  the  feast  went  on,  among 
these  worshipers  there  stood  One  whom  they  knew  not,  even 
he  who  had  come  to  baptize  them  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
with  fire ;  but  though  he  was  with  his  own,  they  that  were 
his  own  recognized  him  not. 

The  First  Cleansing  of  the  Temple.— When  Jesus  entered 
the  court  of  the  Gentiles,  he  found  theie  a  noisy  and  sacri- 
legious scene.  Money  changers  were  busy  receiving  the  coins 
of  Egypt,  Tyre,  Syria,  Persia,  Greece,  and  Rome,  in  exchange 
for  the  Palestinian  coins,  in  which  alone  the  temple  tribute 
could  be  paid.  Their  greed  for  large  commissions,  and  their 
customers'  eagerness. to  pay  as  low  a  rate  as  possible,  doubtless 
led  to  much  clamorous  bickering.  Meanwhile,  within  the 
same  enclosure,  the  oxen,  sheep,  and  doves,  which  the  wor- 
shipers would  need  as  they  made  their  offerings,  were  exposed 


64 


»t 


THE   LIFE   OP  JESUS. 


for  sale.  The  bleating  of  the  sheep,  the  bellowing  of  the 
cattle,  and  the  erics  of  buyers  and  sellers,  must  have  made  the 
place  bear  a  closer  resemblance  to  a  cattle  market  than  to  the 
courts  of  the  Lord. 

Burning  with  zeal,  Jesus  at  once  rebukes  the  desecration  of 
]ps  Father's  house.  With  his  own  hands  he  drives  the  cattle 
and  sheep  out  of  the  sacred  enclosure,  their  keepers  not  daring 
to  hinder  him.  Turning  to  the  money  changers,  he  pours  out 
their  money  and  overturns  their  tables,  none  venturing  to  offer 
resistance.  To  the  sellers  of  doves,  he  siiys :  "Take  these 
things  hence  ;  make  not  my  Father's  house  a  house  of  mer- 
chandise" ;  and  these,  alarmed,  hurry  away  before  the  irjdig- 
nation  of  his  bearing  and  the  sharpness  of  his  rebuke.  Some- 
thing in  the  manner  of  Jesus  made  him  irresistible  in  this 
hour  of  asserted  majesty.  No  doubt  too,  the  consciences  of 
these  offenders  made  cowards  of  them  all.  The  spectiiturs 
probably  sympathized  with  Jesus,  partly  because  the  traffic  in 
the  temple  was  a  public  scandal,  and  partly  because  of  the 
unpopularity  of  the  family  of  the  high  priest,  whose  revenues 
were  largely  increased  from  this  source. 

His  Authority  Challenged. — As  soon  as  tho.se  who  were 
engaged  in  this  illicit  traffic  in  the  temple,  or  were  privy  to  it, 
recovered  from  the  consternation  into  which  they  had  been 
thrown  by  the  suddenness  of  Jesus'  attack,  they  gathered 
about  him  and  demanded  his  authority  for  what  he  had  done. 
They  dared  not  use  violence,  because  the  righteousness  of  his 
act  was  apparent  to  all ;  but  if  he  could  show  no  sign  to  prove 
that  he  had  a  right  to  interfere,  they  might  hope  to  turn  the 
tide  of  popular  feeling  against  him,  or  at  least  to  secure 
immunity  from  another  similar  interruption  of  their  business. 

The  answer  of  Jesus  to  their  demand  was  quick  and  start- 
ling: "Destroy  this  temple,  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise  it 
up. ' '  What  could  he  mean  ?  The  Jews  misunderstood  him ; 
but  whether  stupidly  or  willfully  we  cannot  tell.  If  there  was 
something  in  tone  or  gesture  to  indicate  that  he  was  referring 


THE  MINISTRY   BEGUN. 


65 


to  his  own  body,  and  not  to  tlio  temple  building,  tboy  misun- 
deratood  iiiui  williully,  in  order  to  give  point  to  thoir  dnecr- 
ing  ri\joindcr  and  juHtiBuution  to  their  hoHtility.  Tiiey  could 
find  no  legitimate  cause  for  this  in  either  his  character 
or  work,  und  hence  they  must  neok  the  more  earnestly 
for  the  best  one  that  could  be  trumped  up.  *'  Forty  :Mid  six 
years,"  said  they,  scornfully,  "was  this  temple  in  building, 
and  wilt  thou  raise  it  up  in  three  days?"  dcsus  made  no 
reply  to  their  objection,  as  was  ever  afterward  his  habit  when 
men  caviled  or  scoffed.  Even  his  disciples  did  not  understand 
his  meaning  that  day,  though  the  explanation  uecame  lain 
to  them  afterward.  ''When,  therefore,  ho  was  raisp''.  iVom 
the  dead,  his  disciples  remembered  that  he  spake  thi-i;  and 
they  believed  the  Scriptures  aua  the  word  wl  ::.  Jesus  had 
said." 

The  Jews'  demand  for  Jesus'  authority,  and  his  answer, 
are  both  deeply  significant.  As  on  this  occasion,  so  on  all 
future  occasions,  they  would  attempt  to  dress  their  hatred  of 
his  person  and  works  in  the  garb  of  religion,  while  he,  on  his 
part,  as  he  crosses  the  threshold  of  his  public  ministry,  in  a 
figure  points  to  his  resurrection  as  the  great  evidence  to  the 
world  of  his  authority  on  the  earth. 

Signs. — Although  when  the  Jews  questioned  him  Jesus 
volunteered  no  miraculous  exhibit'  n  to  convince  or  confound 
them,  yet  as  the  feast  proceeded  •'  gave  so  many  tokens  of 
his  supernatural  power  that,  as  in  Cana  "his  disciples  be- 
lieved on  him  "  when  they  saw  the  water  turned  into  wine,  so 
here  "many  believed  on  his  name,  beholding  the  signs  which 
he  did."  The  opinion  that  the  greater  number  of  these, 
though  filled  willi  wonder  at  his  power,  did  not  give  him  their 
full  allegiance,  is  supported  by  the  dubious  statement  of  John 
the  evangelist:  "  But  Jesus  did  not  trust  himself  with  them, 
for  that  he  knew  all  men,  and  because  he  needed  not  that  any 
one  should  bear  witness  concerning  man  ;  for  he  himself  knew 
what  was  in  man." 

B 


66 


THE   LIFE  OF   JESUS. 


Krlatku  Scripture.— John  2 :  13-25. 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Whoro  wfts  tho  first  mirnclo  porformod?  2,  Whoro  did 
Jesus  next  use  his  mirftculous  power?  3.  Compare  the  two 
scenes  carefully.  4.  Describe  the  origin  and  meaning  of  the 
Passover.  6.  What  evil  needing  correction  did  Jesus  find  in  the 
temple?  6.  Why  wore  "money  changers"  in  the  temple?  7. 
Why  did  not  the  people  with  whose  business  Jesus  interfered 
resist  him?  8.  What  did  they  demand  of  him?  9.  What  was 
the  meaning  of  his  answer?  10.  Under  what  circumstances  was 
this  answer  used  against  him?  11.  In  what  sense  did  the  many 
"believe"  who  were  moved  by  his  signs  only  ?  12.  What  reason 
is  there  to  believe  that  the  most  of  them  failed  to  become  at  that 
time  true  disciples?  13.  Compare  the  beginning  of  Jesus' public 
ministry  with  that  of  John,  noting  contrasts.  14.  Why  was  it 
fitting  that  Jesus  should  begin  his  public  ministry  in  the  temple  ? 
15.  Set  down  upon  paper,  and  then  commit  to  memory,  the  steps 
in  Jesus'  preparation  for  this  ministry. 


(  , 


•  '.  T  •• 


XII. 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  JUDEA. 


'■i'  "- 


Jesus  and  Kioodemus.— Tiio  first  act  of  Jesua'  public  min- 
istry was  an  act  of  cluuiising,  and  his  first  teaching  related  to 
his  resurrection  from  the  dead.  In  respect  to  his  own  and 
the  nation's  Hfe,  he  laid  the  axe  at  the  root  of  the  tree.  Ho 
had  come  to  baptize  with  tlid  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire.  He 
would  consume  that  which  was  evil,  and  give  power  to  the 
things  that  remained.  His  scourge  of  cords  was  u  symbol  of 
his  conquest  of  sin,  and  his  answer  to  those  who  challenged 
his  authority  when  he  used  that  scourge  in  cleansing  the 
temple,  was  a  prophecy  of  his  conquest  of  death. 

His  early  claims  in  Judea  were  suftported  by  early  signs. 
The  temple  was  thd  scene  of  his  miracles  as  well  as  his  teach- 
ings and  rebukes.  His  fame  spread  quickly,  and  the  common 
people  heard  him  gladly.  But  the  humble  and  unlearned 
were  not  alone  in  their  wonder  and  admiration.  Among  the 
rulers  was  one  at  least  who  became  convinced  that  this  young 
Nazarene  was  a  divinely  appointed  teaclier.  Nicodemus  was 
an  eminent  citizen  of  Jerusalem,  of  generous  sympathies  and 
most  amiable  character.  He  had  the  excellencies  of  the 
Pharisees  without  their  bigotry  and  intolerance.  Led  by  both 
his  convictions  and  sympathies,  he  desired  eagerly  a  private 
interview  with  Jesus,  that  he  might  learn  fully  the  doctrines 
and  purposes  of  the  new  teacher.  To  go  openly  to  Jesus 
would  involve  him  in  serious  difficulties  with  the  leaders  of 
the  Jews,  and,  being  a  cautious  man,  this  he  wished  to  avoid. 
In  order  therefore  to  secure  the  quiet  which  he  desired,  and 
to  shun  the  publicity  which  ho  dreaded,  he  visited  Jesus  at 
night. 

67 


68 


THE  LIFE  OP  -JESUS. 


i 
i 


I 


Nicodemus  greeted  Jesus  deferentially.  "  Rabbi,"  said  he, 
"we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come  from  God;  for  no 
man  can  do  these  signs  that  thou  doest,  except  Cod  be  with 
him. "  Jesus  answered  Nicodemus  abruptly.  ''  Verily,  verily, 
I  say  unto  thee,"  was  his  reply,  "except  a  man  be  born  anew, 
he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  Jesus  referred  to  two 
spiritual  things,  a  spiritual  birth  and  a  spiritual  kingdom,  but 
Nicodemus'  ideas  could  not  rise  above  material  things.  He 
instantly  ihought  of  a  physical  birth  and  a  material  Messianic 
kingdom ;  and  his  answer,  half  incredulous,  half  scornful, 
shows  that  for  the  moment  his  reverence  for  the  Galilean 
teacli^r  was  shaken.  Jesus  re-asserts  his  first  proposition, 
and  Carrie.^  the  thought  of  his  visitor  forward  into  the  myste- 
rious realm  of  the  Spirit :  "The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth, 
and  thou  hearest  the  voice  thereof,  but  knowest  not  whence  it 
cometh,  and  whither  it  goeth ;  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of 
the  Spidt."  The  reverence  of  Nicodemus  now  returns,  but 
his  perplexity  deepens.  "How  can  these  things  be?"  lie 
asks.  In  answer,  Jesus,  after  chiding  him  for  his  lack  of 
spiritual  discernment,  presents  to  his  i  viikened  mind  two 
other  great  truths  :  "And  as  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in 
the  wilderness,  even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man  be  lifted  up ; 
that  whosoever  believeth  may  in  him  have  eternal  life." 
Though  it  may  be  that  these  words  became  precious  to  Nico- 
demus later,  they  must  have  shocked  him  inexpressibly  when 
they  fell  upon  his  ears  that  night,  for  they  were  violently 
contrary  to  his  preconceived  opinions. 

We  may  believe  that  Jesus  did  not  end  his  discourse  until 
he  had  made  clear  to  this  ruler  of  the  Jews  that  the  Messiah 
would  conquer  in  his  dying,  and  that  "eternal  life,"  which 
came  by  faith  in  a  crucified  Messiah,  was  infinitely  richer  than 
the  life  which  he  had  anticipated  under  the  prosperous  roign 
of  a  splendid  Jewish  king.  Probably  the  interview  lasted 
long.  Perhaps  the  morning  was  near,  when  Nicodemus  turned 
his  steps  toward  his  own  house.     It  is  not  stated  how  far  he 


E 


THE   MINISTRY   IN  JUDEA. 


69 


surrendered  to  the  truth  that  night,  but  he  was  ever  after 
a  friend  of  Jesus,  defending  him  courageously,  though  cau- 
tiously, six  months  before  his  death,  and  when  he  was  dead, 
joining  with  Joseph  of  Arimathea  in  giving  honorable  burial 
to  his  body.  It  is  easy  to  believe  the  tradition  that  after 
Jesus'  ascension  he  became  an  avowed  Christian. 

Preaching  and  Baptizing  in  Judea.— Jesus  began  his 
ministry  in  Jerusalem,  which  was  the  spiritual  centre  of 
Palestine,  and  in  the  temple,  which  was  the  heart  of  Jeru- 
salem. Having  spoken  in  the  temple  and  city,  it  was  fitting 
that  he  should  go  next  to  those  lost  sheep  of  the  liouse  of 
Israel  who  were  scattered  thoughout  Judea.  This  he  did : 
"After  these  things  came  Jesus  and  his  disciples  into  the 
land  of  J:idea ;  and  there  he  tarried  with  them  and  baptized." 
We  know  little  of  the  events  of  this  period.  It  is  clear,  how- 
ever, that  for  a  time  Jesus  followed  the  path  taken  by  his 
forerunner.  His  early  message  was  the  same  as  that  of  John  : 
"Repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand  ;  "  and, 
by  the  hands  of  his  disciples,  he  also  baptized  the  multitudes 
who  submitted  to  his  teaching. 

The  ''Decrease"  of  John— From  the  beginning  of  his 
ministry  John  had  pointed  steadfastly  to  one  who  was  to 
overshadow  him,  and  for  whose  coming  he  counted  it  sufficient 
honor  to  be  permitted  to  prepare  the  way.  If,  as  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  the  explanation  of  the  abrupt  departure  of 
John  and  Andrew  from  the  number  of  the  Baptist's  followers 
to  become  disciples  of  Jesus  is  found  in  his  purpose  to  make 
disciples  only  that  he  might  turn  them  over  to  the  one  who 
came  after  him;  we  may  infer  that  during  the  last  months  of 
his  ministry  he  did  what  he  could  to  persuade  those  who  still 
came  to  his  baptism  to  seek  Jesus  and  believe  on  him  as  the 
"Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  If 
this  was  his  purpose,  it  was  in  part  successful.  His  popularity 
waned,  and  his  following  melted  away,  while  throngs  were 
attracted  to  the  ministry  and  baptism  of  the  new  prophet 


''■'il 


70 


THE   LIFE   OF  JESUS. 


I!lt 


John  saw  the  eclipse  of  his  greatness  not  only  with  com- 
posure, but  also  with  triumph.  He  knew  that  his  light  had 
appeared  only  that  it  might  be  lost  in  the  glory  of  a  greater 
light.  But  some  of  his  disciples  were  unable  to  look  with 
satisfaction  upon  the  success  of  one  whom  tlMy  regarded  as  a 
rival  of  their  master ;  and  these  said  to  him  one  day  :  ''Eabbi, 
he  that  was  with  thee  beyond  Jordan,  to  whom  thou  hast 
borne  witness,  behold,  the  same  baptizeth,  and  all  men  come 
to  him."  Nothing  more  clearly  reveals  the  sublime  character 
of  the  Baptist  than  the  manner  in  v/hich  he  received  this 
communication.  He  manifests  his  submission  in  the  words : 
"A  man  can  receive  nothing,  except  it  be  given  him  from 
heaven ;"  and  as  he  adds,  "  My  joy  therefore  is  frlfilled," 
his  exultation  becomes  apparent.  "  He  must  increase,  but  I 
must  decrease."  Was  there  anything  of  petulance,  murmur- 
ing, or  sadness  in  these  words?  The  context  forbids  the  sus- 
picion. That  which  Heaven  had  ordained,  he  had  desired ; 
and  in  that  hour  he  could  give  God  thanks  that  he  had 
decreased  in  order  that  Jesus  might  increase.  This  man,  who 
was  great  in  his  humility,  was  great  unto  the  end. 

Related  Scripture.— John  3  : 1-36;  4  : 1,  2.* 

A  QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  State  carefully  all  that  is  known  concerning  Nicodemus. 
2.  What  was  his  early  opinion  of  Jesus?  8.  What  three  great 
truths  did  Jesus  reveal  to  Nicodemus?  4.  Where  did  Jesus  go 
when  he  left  Jerusalem?  6.  What  was  the  character  of  his  work 
ftt  this  period?  6.  Did  he  preach  in  the  synagogues  or  in  the 
open  air?  7.  What  was  the  effect  of  Jesuu'  preaching  on  John's 
popularity?  8.  What  were  John's  feelings  toward  Jesus  at  this 
time? 

REVIEW  QUESTIONS. 

1.  State  the  length  and  breadth  of  Palestine,  and  of  the  sea  of 
Galilee,  and  the  Dead  Sea.  2.  Locate  on  the  map,  Bethlehem, 
Nazareth,  Capernaum,  Sychar,  wilderness  of  Judea,  Cana.    3. 


THE  MINISTRY   IX   JUDEA. 


U 


What  was  the  position  of  the  high  priest  in  the  Maccabean 
period?  4.  Who  were  called  chief  priests?  6.  What  was  the 
occupation  of  Joseph?  The  office  of  Zacharias?  The  office  of 
Nicodemus?  6.  Recite  the  song  which  the  angels  sang  when 
they  announced  to  the  shepherds  the  birth  of  Jesus.  7.  What 
did  Simeon  say  when  he  saw  Jesus?  8.  What  did  Anna  say? 
9.  To  what  tribe  did  Anna  belong?  10.  Describe  the  baptism 
of  Jesus.  11.  Name  the  three  temptations  in  the  wilderness. 
12.  Name  the  first  five  disciples.  13.  Which  of  these  lived  in  the 
tuwn  in  which  Jesus  performed  his  first  miracle?  14.  Describe 
the  first  cleansing  of  the  temple. 


I  vv^  jftTi 


» I 


XIII 


THE  IrflNISTRY  i?    SAMARIA. 


The  Departure  from  Judea.— Jesijs'  poprlarity,  at  iviiich 
soirie  of  tiie.  disciples  of  1  >hu  were  grieved,  was  oxecorlingiy 
irritating  to  the  Pharisees.  They  Lid  been  suffix Mtly 
anncfy&d  when  liiultitudos  flocked  to  tlie  Jordnn  to  iioarken  to 
the  it'  .;ihic^^i  tf  the  'Japtist;  but  their  annoyance  hardened 
into  a  daugiica:-  hostility  when  they  learned  that  Jesus,  who 
hitd  arsgort  (i  tlion)  months  before  by  his  words  and  acts  in 
puriryijiii  the  teniple,  was  creating  even  greater  popular  ex- 
citement than  ha<l  attended  John.  When  Jesus  discovered 
this  hostility,  he  decided  to  go  northward  and  begin  a  minis- 
try in  Galilee,  apparently  because  his  work  ct}uld  be  better 
do.'te  where  opposition  was  less  malignant. 

He  was  also  influenced  by  the  arrest  of  John.  This  fear- 
less preacher  had  not  hestitated  to  rebuke  bad  Uicn  as  well  as 
bad  manners-  Th.s  brought  him  into  collision  with  the  ruler 
of  Perea ;  for  among  the  notorio-is  sinners  of  that  day  were 
Herod  Antipas  and  Eerodiag.  Herodias  had  deserted  her 
lawful  husband,  Herod  Philip  I.,  to  form  an  infamous  mar- 
riage with  Antipas.  This  alliance  was  all  the  more  criminal 
because  Philip  was  the  half-brother  of  Antipas.  The  offense 
of  these  royal  sinners  was  so  rank  that  John  had  declared, 
apparently  to  the  offender's  face,  "It  is  not  lawful  for  thee 
to  have  thy  brother's  wife."  Herodias  may  have  been  pres- 
ent when  John  spoke  his  brave  rebuke ;  at  any  rate,  she  soon 
learned  what  be  had  said  ;  and  if  Antipas  wa^,  '^'^'•y,  she  was 
furious,  and  from  that  day  became  the  imphf  ^  and  blood- 
thirsty enemy  of  the  prophet.  Her  hatred  ^  ,.  its  first  suc- 
ce  5  when  Ht  <  !  cast  John  into  prisor  d  "now  when 

72 


re 

(s 
in 

[1 


THE  MINISTRY   IN  SAMARIA. 


73 


Jesus  heard  that  John  was  delivered  up,  he  withdrew  into 
GaUlee." 

Jesus  and  the  Samaritan  Woman— A  Judean,  desiring 
to  go  into  Galilee,  would  cross  the  Jordan  in  order  to  avoid 
passing  througli  defiled  and  hated  Samaria.  A  Galilean 
would  be  likely  to  consult  his  convenience  rather  than  his 
prejudices,  and  take  the  shorter  route.  Jesus,  even  as  a 
Galilean,  would  be  free  from  the  petty  prejudices  of  the 
Judeans ;  and  as  the  Son  of  God,  bearing  a  gracious  message 
of  the  deepest  import  to  all  men,  he  would  embrace  the 


In  justice  to  the  author  it  should  be  said  that  he 
regards  the  time  (p.  73,  line  16)  as  being  at  evening 
(six  o'clock)  according  to  the  Roman  mode  of  reckon- 
ing. In  this  he  is  sustained  by  many  authorities. — 
[Ed.] 


by  Jacob  nearly  eighteen  hundred  yenrs  oerore.  i^em  iw 
hand  wore  Gerizim  and  Ebal,  the  mountains  of  blessing  and 
cursing.  A  few  minutes'  walk  distant  was  the  tomb  in  which 
the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  came  up  out  of  Egypt,  had 
deposited  the  bones  of  Joseph.  It  was  somewhere  near  this 
spot  toe,  that  Abraham,  when  he  first  arrived  in  Canaan, 
built  i^n  altar  under  an  oak  and  worshiped  God.  But  if  for 
a  while  iliG  thoughts  of  Jesus  were  busy  with  Israel's  event- 
fiil  past,  they  were  ■^^ood  turned  to  his  own  eventful  present, 
and  to  the  honors  and  gifts,  greater  than  any  that  came  to 
Abraham  and  Joseph,  which  he  had  come  to  the  earth  to 


,^ 


XIII. 

THE  MINISTRY  IN  SAMARIA. 

The  Departure  from  Judea.— Jesus'  popularity,  at  which 
some  of  the  disciples  of  John  were  grieved,  was  exceedingly 
irritating   to    the    Pharisees.     They  had    been    sufficiently 


<i«ii  1  L»  iiiiak 


juiiiju,  ntjiou  rniiip  1.,  to  form  an  infamous  mar- 
riage with  Antipas.  This  alliance  was  all  the  more  criminal 
because  Philip  was  the  half-brother  of  Antipas.  The  offense 
of  these  royal  sinners  was  so  rank  that  John  had  declared, 
apparently  to  the  offender's  face,  "It  is  not  lawful  for  thee 
to  have  thy  brother's  wife."  Herodias  may  have  been  pres- 
ent when  John  spoke  his  brave  rebuke ;  at  any  rate,  she  soon 
learned  what  he  had  said  ;  and  if  Antipas  was  angry,  she  was 
furious,  and  from  that  day  became  the  implacable  and  blood- 
thirsty enemy  of  the  prophet.  Her  hatred  won  its  first  suc- 
cess when  Herod  cast  John  into  prison.  And  "now  when 
72 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  SAMARIA. 


73 


hich 

ngly 
mtly 


[lar- 
irial 
snse 
•ed, 
Iiee 
res- 
Don 

od- 
uc- 
len 


Jesus  heard  tliat  John  was  delivered  up,  he  withdrew  into 
GaUlee." 

Jesus  and  the  Samaritan  Woman  —A  Judean,  desiring 
to  go  into  Galilee,  would  cross  the  Jordan  in  order  to  avoid 
passing  through  defiled  and  hated  Samaria.  A  Galilean 
would  be  likely  to  consult  his  convenience  rather  than  his 
prejudices,  and  take  the  shorter  route.  Jesus,  even  as  a 
Galilean,  would  be  free  from  the  petty  prejudices  of  the 
Judeans ;  and  as  the  Son  of  God,  bearing  a  gracious  message 
of  the  deepest  import  to  all  men,  lie  would  embrace  the 
earliest  opportunity  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Samaritans. 
Therefore  John's  record,  ''And  he  must  needs  pass  through 
Samaria,"  has  more  than  ;\  geggraphical  significance.  It  was 
in  the  divine  plan  that  Samaria  should  now  learn  that  the 
Messiah  had  come. 

Jesus  and  his  disciples  reached  Jacob's  well  about  mid- 
day, "according  to  the  generally  received  mode  of  reckon- 
ing in  the  East."  Being  very  weary,  he  sat  Cuwn  to  rest 
while  the  disciples  went  into  the  neighboring  lo^^n  i  ^  buy 
food.  The  place  where  he  sat  was  full  of  inter*  All 
about  him  were  fertile  fields,  flourishing  orchards,  and  well- 
kept  gardens.  But  if  the  present  brought  before  his  eyes  a 
rich  landscape,  the  past  presented  to  his  mind  rich  memories 
.ind  suggestions.  This  well,  sunk  in  the  solid  rock,  wns  made 
by  Jacob  nearly  eighteen  hundred  yenrs  before.  Near  at 
hand  were  Gerizim  and  Ebal,  the  mountains  of  blessing  and 
cursing.  A  few  minutes'  walk  distant  was  the  tomb  in  which 
the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  came  up  out  "7  /pt,  had 
deposited  the  bones  of  Joseph.  It  was  somewiiere  near  this 
spot  too,  that  Abraham,  when  he  first  arrived  in  Canaan, 
built  an  altar  under  an  oak  and  worshiped  God.  But  if  for 
a  while  the  thoughts  of  Jesus  were  busy  with  Israel's  event- 
ful past,  they  were  soon  turned  to  his  own  eventful  present, 
..nd  to  the  honors  and  gifts,  greater  than  any  tliat  came  to 
Abraham  and  Joseph,  which  he  had  come  to  the  earth  to 


74 


THE  IJFE  OF  JESUS. 


111  ■ 


iii ,:, 


bring  to  men.  As  It^  ^rinsed,  a  Samaritan  woman  drew  near  the 
well  to  obtain  hu  i  cw .'  .lued  supply  of  water.  The  occasion 
was  ordinal;  and  i  Granger  could  have  found  in  it  no  prom- 
ise of  spirit  iial  blessing  for  her.  She  meant  to  have  no  words 
with  the  weary  traveler.  She  saw  that  he  was  a  Jew  ;  and, 
having  a  woman's  appreciation  of  the  hostility  existing 
between  the  Jews  and  her  own  r-^."  ■•'  ,  it  did  not  occur  to  her 
that  this  Jew  could  havo  any  dealings  with  this  Samaritan. 
She  was  therefore  surprised  immeasurably  to  hear  him  ask- 
in,';,  in  a  kindly  and  respectful  manner,  for  a  drink  of  water. 
"  'Tow  is  it  that  thou,  being  a  Jew,  askest  drink  of  me,  which 
am  a  woman  of  Samaria?"  was  her  reply.  Her  surprise  at 
his  courtesy  was  the  beginning  of  a  wonder  which,  under  his 
teaching,  was  soon  transformed  into  faith.  His  answer  told 
her  of  "living  water,"  and  of  a  "well  of  water  springing  up 
unto  eternal  life."  She,  like  Nicodemus  when  told  of  the  new 
birth,  WAS  perplexed ;  but  her  perplexity  was  soon  thrust 
aside  by  an  eager  desire  to  obtain  that  great  good  which  he 
declared  himself  able  to  give.  "  Sir,  give  me  this  water, 
that  I  thirst  not."  Her  request  stumbles,  and  her  vision  is 
imperfect ;  but  Jesus  by  a  question  and  an  answer,  leads  her 
mind  forward  until  she  says,  perhaps  hesitatingly  because  of 
her  discovered  sin,  but  "svitli  full  conviction,  "Sir,  I  perceive 
that  thou  art  a  prophet"  ;  and  then  when  she  speaks  of  the 
Messiah  towai  1  vdioir  her  hoi  s  are  turned,  Jesus  says  to 
this  lowly  and  guilty,  but  now  thoroughly  awakened  one,  "I 
that  speak  unto  thee  am  he. ' ' 

'  The  Ripened  Harvest. — Bef  jre  this  conversation  was  over 
the  disciples  had  returned.  Seeinsr  the  Master  engaged  in 
conversation  with  a  woman,  and  -ipecially  since  she  was  a 
Samaritan  woman,  they  Wi'  sjrenly  surprised,  as  it  was  not 
usual  for  rabbis  to  do  won  .  lb  honor  of  conversing  freely 
with  them.  Their  awe  of  him,  however,  prevented  them  from 
putting  their  surprise  into  words.  It  would  appear  that  for  a 
while  Jesus  sat  wrapped  in  thought  after  the  convereation  with 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  SAMARIA. 


76 


the  woman  ended.  His  thoughts  were  interrupted  at  length  by 
his  disciples,  who  urged  him  to  eat.  This  he  could  not  do.  His 
Boul  was  so  moved  that  for  the  time  his  ap[i>etite  had  forsaken 
him.  ''I  have  meat  to  eat  that  ye  know  not  of,"  was  his 
answer  to  their  importunity.  Then  after  a  puuse  he  added, 
"  My  meat  is  to  do  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  and  to  finish 
his  work. ' '  The  disciples  are  held  and  thrilled  by  his  emotion, 
and  wait  to  hear  a  further  word,  feeling  that  they  will  be 
called  to  some  part  in  the  high  duty  which  he  is  announcing. 
They  are  not  to  be  disappointed.  He  bids  them  look  forth  upon 
the  white  harvef^s  of  the  field,  and  then  as  he  points  them 
to  the  spiritual  harvest  which  awaits  their  reaping,  their  souls 
feel  something  of  an  emotion  akin  to  his  own.  And  so  the 
hour  which  all  had  expected  to  spend  in  the  quiet  enjoyment 
of  ii  noonade  meal  is  hallowed  as  by  transfiguring  light.  A 
soul  has  been  won  to  the  truth.  Duty  has  been  glorified. 
The  disciples  have  been  led  out  of  a  blundering  sympathy 
with  the  physical  needs  of  Jesus  into  a  sacred  fellowship  of 
spirit  with  him. 

Two  Days  in  Sychar.— When  the  women  left  Jesus  she 
was  laboring  under  great  excitement.  Forgetting  the  errand 
which  had  brought  her  to  the  well,  she  hurried  into  the  city 
to  spread  the  tidings  of  her  great  discovery.  Jesus'  knowl- 
edge of  aH  her  past  life  was  the  fact  whifh  she  told,  and  it 
was  this  which  made  a  profound  impression  upon  the  groups 
that  gathered  about  her.  ^\  hatever  may  have  been  her  sins 
in  the  past,  evidently  she  had  a  reputation  for  truthfulness, 
for  "  many  of  the  Samaritans  believed  on  bins  because  of  the 
word  of  the  women  who  testified.  He  told  me  all  things  that 
ever  I  did."  As  the  result  of  her  testimony  a  throng  of  the 
people  of  the  city  went  out  to  Jacob's  well,  and  invited  Jesus 
to  tarry  in  their  town  and  teach.  He  complied  with  their 
request  and  spent  two  days  there.  "And  many  more 
believed  because  of  his  word  ;  and  they  said  to  the  woman  : 
Now  we  believe,  not  because  of  thy  speaking,  for  we  have 


ii 


76      V 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESnS. 


heard  for  ourselves,  and  know  that  tliis  is  the  Saviour  of  the 
world."  Judea  had  rejected  him  ;  Samaria  received  him 
gladly.  The  despised  Samaritans  had  a  clearer  spiritual 
sight  than  those  who  boasted  that  they  were  in  possession  of 
all  knowledge  uf  God.  It  is  better  to  be  a  humble  heathcQ 
than  an  arrogant  Pharisee.  ^ 

BRLA.TKD  6CRIPTURE.— John  4:  1-42;  Matt.  4:12;  Mark 
1:14. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  What  report  concerning  Jesus'  popularity  reached  the  Jews? 
2.  Give  two  reasons  why  Jesus  loft  Judou.  8.  Why  was  John 
the  Baptist  imprisoned  ?  4.  How  was  Herod  Antipns  related  to 
Philip?  5.  Why  did  Jesus  pass  through  Samaria?  6.  Whore 
did  ho  rest?  7.  Name  some  places  of  interest  which  are  near 
Jacob's  well.  8.  Why  was  the  Samaritan  woman  surprised  at 
the  courteous  request  of  Jesus?  9.  What  convinced  her  that  he 
was  a  prophet?  10.  What  great  truth  concerning  God  did 
Je&us  declare  to  her?  11.  What  great  truth  concerning  him- 
self did  he  announce?  12.  Why  were  the  disciples  surprised 
when  they  saw  Jesus  talking  with  the  woman?  18.  Who  prob- 
ably were  thjse  disciples?  14.  What  lesson  did  Jesus  teach, 
them  at  this  time  ?  15.  Find  evidence  that  this  sinful  Samaritan 
woman  was  not  a  liar.  16.  How  long  did  Jesus  stay  in  Sychar? 
17.  What  was  the  success  of  his  ministry  there? 


f4 


XIV. 

THE  MINISTRY  IN  QALILEE  BEGUN. 

Syohar  to  Cana. — We  have  Rcen  that  Jesus  choso  Jerusa- 
lem, which  was  tiie  citadel  of  Judaism,  us  his  earliest  mission 
field,  and  that  his  first  public  Messianic  acts  and  words 
occurred  in  the  temple,  which  was  the  heart  of  that  citadel. 
In  offering  himself  to  the  nation  he  went  to  those  who  were 
the  very  Hebrews  of  the  Hebrews.  When  the  leaders  in 
Jerusalem  rejected  him,  he  went  forth  into  the  province  and 
preached  there  until  perils  and  difficulties  had  so  multiplied 
as  to  make  it  prudent  to  curry  his  message  elsewhere.  The 
tragedy  which  wus  enacted  just  outside  the  gates  of  Jerusa- 
lem nearly  three  years  later  wus  but  the  harvest  from  seed 
sown  during  the  days  of  this  early  Judean  ministry. 

Having  been  rejected  in  Judea,  Jesus  turned  to  Galilee, 
as  after  Judea,  the  most  Jewish  community  in  Paicf  ',• 
He  had  been  absent  from  the  northern  province  nearly  u  \ .;  . 
During  this  time  reports  concerning  his  miracles  and  tear 
in  Judea  had  been  carried  back  to  his  former  neighbor 
acquaintances,  and  his  absence  and  these  reports  doubtless 
served  to  diminish  somewhat  the  prejudice  which  naturally 
rises  against  a  prophet  "  in  his  own  country."  The  Galileans 
too,  were  by  nature  and  training  less  bigoted  and  intolerant 
than  the  Judeans. 

His  journey  northward  gave  him  opportunity  to  preach  the 
gospel  in  Samaria,  where  his  spirit  was  refreshed  by  the 
eagerness  with  which  the  Samaritans  listened  to  his  word. 
They  demanded  no  signs,  an'^  proposed  no  questions  in  casuis- 
try or  theology  ;  but,  persuaded  by  his  supernatural  knowledge 
of  their  hearts  and  needs,  and  drawn  irresistibly  by  his  teach- 

77 


i  1 1  2S 


ai. 


78 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


ings,  believed  on  him  so  frankly  and  in  such  numbers,  that 
hia  two  days'  ministry  among  tiiem  was  one  of  the  brightest 
spots  in  his  life. 

His  ministry  having  ended  in  Samaria,  he  resumed  his  journey 
to  Galilee.  Where  shall  he  go  first?  Shall  it  not  bo  to  Nazareth, 
where  dwelt  the  people  with  whom  ho  grew  up  from  infancy 
and  in  whose  company  he  had  worshiped  in  the  synagogue  on 
many  holy  Sabbaths?  As  hi;  began  his  Judean  n  inistry  in 
tiie  temple  in  Jerusalem,  so  we  might  expect  that  he  would 
begin  the  Galilean  ministry  in  the  synagogue  in  Nazareth. 
But  fii*st  ho  must  go  to  Cana,  whore  he  made  the  water  wine, 
and  where  was  the  home  of  his  friiind  and  disciple,  Nathan- 
ael.  It  is  likely  that  the  chief  reason  for  going  to  Cana  at 
this  time  was  that  he  might  secure  rest  before  entering  upon 
the  arduous  work  of  his  Galilean  ministry.  Doubtless  he  was 
the  guest  of  Nathanael  during  his  stay  in  Cana. 

The  Healing  of  the  Nobleman's  Son.— While  Jesus  was 
resting  in  Cana,  a  nobleman  of  Capernaum  came  alter  him 
one  day  in  great  haste,  asking  him  to  go  ovor  to  Capertmun. 
and  heal  his  son,  who  was  at  the  point  of  death.  It  may  bo 
that  this  nobleman  was  that  Chuza,  the  steward  of  Herod 
Antipas,  whose  wife,  Joanna,  was  afterward  one  of  Jesus' 
most  devoted  followers.  In  that  case  her  attachment  to  him 
can  be  traced  to  her  gratitude  for  the  miraculous  recovery  of 
her  son. 

Although  the  officer  was  in  great  distress,  the  answer  of 
Jesus  to  his  appeal  was  at  first  critical,  rather  than  compas- 
sionate :  "  Except  ye  see  signs  and  wonders,  ye  will  in  no  wise 
believe."  The  nobleman  had  no  just  conception  of  Jesus' 
character.  Perhaps  he  loo  ^  upon  him  as  no  more  than  a 
mere  Jewish  rabbi  who  had  been  unusually  successful  in 
eifecting  cures,  as  it  was  alleged  other  rabbis  had  been  some- 
times. But  his  mind,  spurred  by  the  answer  of  Jesus,  and 
clarified  by  anxiety,  came  quickly  into  a  truer  light,  and  his 
new  prajc:  conquered  :  "Sir,  come  down,  ere  my  child  die." 


THE   MINISTRY    IN   GALILEE   BEGUN. 


79 


'"  Go  thy  way  ;  thy  son  liveth,"  was  tho  rhysician's  answer ; 
and  tho  distressed  lather,  who  had  come  to  Cana  supposing 
that  the  only  hope  of  saving  his  child's  life  lay  in  securing  tho 
presence  of  tho  rabbi  in  tho  sickroom,  now  believed  that  tho 
word  of  Jesus  was  sufficient,  and  started  homeward  immedi- 
ately. His  ftiith  had  risen  sublimely.  Something  iu  tho 
manner  of  Jesus  had  carried  complete  conviction  to  .lis  pre- 
I)arcd  soul,  and  ho  who  had  wished  to  carry  with  him  a  per- 
son was  content  with  a  promise. 

His  faith  was  rewarded.  As  ho  hurried  homeward  he  was 
met  by  his  servants,  who  declared  that  his  son  was  well. 
"  When  did  he  recover?  "  he  asked,  eagerly.  "  Yesterday  at 
the  seventh  hour,"  tlicy  answered.  *'  'J'he  very  hour  in  wlach 
Jesus  said:  'Thy  son  liveth,'"  was  his  subdued  comment, 
and  from  that  moment  his  faith  was  complete.  With  swell- 
ing heart  he  told  tho  story  of  his  experience  in  Cana,  and  t.3 
his  wife  and  servants  heard,  they  share  his  faith  in  the  Great 
Physician  :  ''and  himself  believed  and  his  whole  household." 

The  First  Rejection  at  Nazareth.— -When  his  stay  was 
ended  in  Cana,  Jesus  "  came  to  Nazareth,  where  he  had  been 
brought  up."  It  would  appear  that  in  this  journey  and  mis- 
sion he  was  alone,  his  disciples  having  gone  to  their  own 
homes  while  he  was  resting  in  Cana.  It  may  be  too,  that  he 
visited  his  mother  a  short  time  in  Nazareth  before  formally 
announcing  himself  as  the  Messiah.  But  at  length  the  hour 
had  come  to  speak  forth  his  message,  and  to  face  another 
crisis  in  his  life. 

As  hud  been  his  custom  he  went  to  the  synagogue  on  the 
Sa'ubath.  The  chief  ruler,  either  before  Jesus  entered  the 
building,  or  soon  after,  invited  him  to  be  the  leader  of  the 
devotions  for  tho  day.  It  is  likely  that  this  was  known  or 
anticipated  by  the  people  of  the  town,  and  ihat  the  place  was 
crowded,  as  was  usual  when  a  popular  preacher  was  announced 
to  speak.  If  they  obeyed  the  teachings  of  the  rabbis  they 
walked  to  the  synagogue  rapidly  that  morning,  to  indicate 


80 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


their  eagerness  to  join  in  the  services.  Returning,  they 
would  walii:  lingeringly,  to  show  their  reluctance  to  leave  the 
liouse  of  teaching  and  prayer. 

The  opening  part  of  the  service  consisted  of  various  recit- 
ings,  prayers,  and  benedictions,  with  appropriate  responses. 
When  these  were  ended,  the  "minister,"  that  is,  the  official 
whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  the  details  of  the  service,  went 
to  the  ark,  which  was  kept  at  the  southern  end  of  the  syna- 
gogue, and  brought  forth  a  roll  of  the  law,  from  which  the 
selections  for  the  day  were  read.  Then  followed  the  selection 
from  the  prophets,  which  on  this  day  was  read  by  Jesus,  and 
formed  his  text.  The  lesson  chosen  was  from  Isaiah  61,  and 
the  people  watched  and  listened  intently  as  Jesus  read : 

The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  mo, 

Because  he  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings  to  the  poor; 

He  hath  sent  mo  to  prochiim  release  to  the  captives, 

And  recovering  of  sight  to  the  blind, 

To  set  at  liberty  them  that  are  bruised, 

To  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord. 

He  stood  as  he  read,  but  sat  down  to  speak.  While  every 
eye  was  watching,  and  every  ear  attentive,  he  opened  his  ser- 
mon with  the  extraordinary  statement,  "To-day  hath  this 
Scripture  been  fulfilled  in  your  ears."  What  he  said  further 
in  the  sermon  proper  is  not  recorded,  but  it  was  of  such 
remarkable  and  commanding  quality  that  "all  bare  him  wit- 
ness, and  wondered  at  the  words  of  grace  which  proceeded 
out  of  his  mouth,"  At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  according 
to  custom,  the  people  had  an  opportunity  to  propose  objec- 
tions or  ask  questions.  Their  first  question  this  day  was,  "  Is 
not  this  Joseph's  son?"  Released  from  the  spell  of  liis 
eloquence,  they  recalled  his  first  s  ;ntence,  and  would  have  him 
tell  why  he,  the  son  of  r,  village  carpenter,  '.nown  to  them 
all,  dared  make  such  claims.  Jesus,  perceiving  that  they 
would  be  more  aiFected  by  such  "signs,"  as  had  been  done  ia 


THE  MINISTRY   IN   GALILEE   BEGUN. 


81 


Capernaiira  and  elsewhere,  than  by  the  grasioua  words  which 
they  had  just  heard,  quotes  the  proverb,  '"  No  prophet  is 
acceptable  in  his  own  country,"  and  then  by  illustrations  from 
the  lives  of  Elijah  and  Elisha,  shows  that  strangers  some- 
times seize  the  blessings  which  the  prophet's  own  people 
reject.  This  thrust  wjis  too  much  for  their  forbearance. 
Jewish  pride  and  prejudice  lashed  Jewish  fury  to  the  murder- 
ing point,  and  they  "rose  up,  and  cast  him  forth  out  of  the 
city,  and  led  him  unto  tlie  brow  of  the  hill  whereon  their  city 
was  built,  that  they  might  throw  him  down  headlong."  But 
the  majesty  of  his  bearing,  before  which  the  offenders  'n  the 
temple  many  months  before  had  been  silent  and  obedient, 
now  subdued  these  railing  Nazarenes,  and  at  his  will  ho 
passes  through  the  midst  of  them,  and  went  his  way. 


ee- 
ls 

lis 
lim 
em 
ley 

in 


Rklated  Scripture.— Luke  4  :  14-30;  Mark  1 ;  14,  15;  John 
4  :  43-54. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  the  iniuistry  in  Samaria.  2.  Why  did  the  Jews 
hate  the  Samaritans?  3.  What  in  Jesus  produced  fiiith  in  the 
Samaritans?  4.  Describe  Jesus'  former  visit  to  Cana.  5.  Find 
reasons  for  believing  that  on  tjiis  occasion  he  went  there  to  rest. 

6.  Where  was  Jesus  when  he  healed  the  sick  boy  in  Caperruiup>  ? 

7.  Note  the  stages  in  the  nobleman's  faith.  8.  What  were  the 
meaning  and  purpose  of  Jesus'  first  answer  to  his  request?  9. 
Why  did  Jesus  begin  his  Galilean  ministry  in  Nazareth?  10. 
Who  invited  Jesus  to  preach  in  the  synagogue  in  Nazareth? 
11.  What  was  his  text?  12.  What  was  the  eifect  of  the  confer- 
ence which  followed  the  sermon?  13.  Why  were  his  citations 
regarding  Elijah  and  Elisha  off:.Misive  to  tlie  Jews?  14.  Re])rat 
in  your  own  language  the  story  of  this  first  rejection  nt  Naza- 
reth. 15.  Diseovor  whether  this  marks  the  beginning  of  his 
teaching  in  synagogues. 


V 


XV. 


r    !■» 


[mI 


II 


THE  BEGINNING  IN  CAPERNAUM. 

Jesns  makes  Capernaum  his  Headquarters.— From  the 
time  of  the  rejection  of  Jesus  in  Nazareth,  Capernaum  be- 
came his  " own  city."  Capernaum  was  near  the  sea  of  Gali- 
lee, and  in  the  midst  of  a  populous  and  prosperous  plain,  and 
on  many  accounts  was  suitable  to  be  his  headquarters  during 
the  Gahlean  ministry.  There  was  a  synagogue  in  the  city, 
which  had  been  built  by  that  centurion  whose  servant  Josus 
at  a  later  date  healed,  and  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue  was 
that  Jairus  whose  daughter  he  raised  from  tlie  dead.  Here, 
also,  lived  the  nobleman  who,  with  all  his  family,  had  lately 
become  a  believer  in  Jesus  because  of  the  healing  of  his  child. 
Matthew,  afterward  numbered  among  the  twelve,  was  the 
collector  of  taxes  at  this  station.  At  this  date,  also,  John 
and  James,  and  Andrew  and  Simon,  seem  to  have  had  their 
homes  there.  During  his  Galilean  ministry  no  city  was  so 
highly  favored  as  this.  la  its  streets  and  homos  many  of  his 
miracles  were  performed.  It  was  in  the  synagogue  of  Caper- 
naum that  ho  delivered  his  extraordinary  sermon  on  the  bread 
of  life.  But  that  the  people  did  not  avail  themselves  of  their 
opportunities  may  be  learned  from  the  sad  and  ]/  -rtentous 
words  of  Jesus:  ''And  thou,  Ciperuaum,  shalt  thou  be 
exalted  unto  heaven  ?  Thou  shalt  go  doTn  unto  hades  ;  for 
if  the  mighty  works  had  been  done  in  Sodom  which  were  done 
in  thee,  it  would  remain  unto  this  day.  Howbeit,  I  say  unto 
you,  that  it  shall  be  more  tolerable  for  the  land  of  Sodom  in 
the  day  of  judgment,  than  for  thee." 

The  Calling  of  the  Four.— Jesus  went  to  Nazareth  alone. 
No  disciple  shared  the  humiliation  and  peril  which  met  him 
82 


THE   BEGINNING   IN  CAPERNAUM. 


83 


4 


so 
his 

>er- 
read 


)ne. 
lim 


in  the  city  in  which  he  had  been  '*  brought  up."  If  the  f  e 
who  became  his  followers  immediately  after  his  return  from 
the  temptation,  accompanied  him  during  his  Judean  ministry, 
journeyed  with  him  through  Samaria,  and  were  the  "disci- 
ples" referred  to  in  the  record  of  the  incident  at  Jacob's  well, 
we  may  suppose  that  when  he  went  to  Oana  to  rest,  they 
returned  to  their  own  families.  But  whether  it  was  at  this 
time  or  earlier  that  Peter,  Andrew,  and  John  returned  to  their 
old  occupation,  the  narrative  shows  that  while  Jesus  was 
passing  through  his  trouble  in  Nazareth,  they  were  fishing  on 
the  sea  of  Galilee.  Here  he  found  them  on  his  return  to 
Capernaum. 

One  day,  probably  not  long  after  his  arrival  in  Capernaum, 
he  was  standing  by  the  seaside,  preaching.  As  he  spoke,  the 
multitude  so  increased  and  pressed  upon  him  that  preaching 
became  difficult,  and  a  fishing  boat  being  near,  he  stepped 
into  it,  and  requested  Peter  to  push  out  a  little  from  the  shore. 
Sitting  in  the  boat  he  finished  his  discourse,  and  then  directed 
Peter  to  put  out  into  deep  water  and  let  down  the  net.  This 
seemed  strange  advice  to  the  weary  fisherman,  who  with  his 
companions  had  been  toiling  all  night  without  success  ;  but  in 
deference  to  the  Teacher  he  did  as  directed.  To  his  great 
surprise  the  net  was  immediately  filled  with  fish  and,  because 
of  the  unusual  strain  put  upon  it,  began  to  break.  Fortu- 
nately, James  and  John,  the  partners  of  Peter,  were  within 
sight,  and  promptly  responded  to  the  excited  beckoning  of 
Peter.  Drawing  <lie  net  in,  they  found  that  the  two  boats 
were  not  large  enough  to  contain  all  the  catch.  While  all 
were  filled  with  wonder,  Peter,  always  impetuous,  was  so 
overcome  by  this  exhibition  of  Jesus'  power  that  he  fell  upon 
his  knees  and  made  the  blundering  prayer:  "Depart  from 
me  ;  for  I  am  a  sinful  m;in,  0  Lord."  To  t)iis  Jesus  replied  : 
"Fear  not;  from  henceforth  thou  shalt  catch  men."  "  tfoDdW 
me,"  was  the  command,  first  to  Andrew  and  1  eter,  and  then 
to  James  and  John,  which  called  them  to  their  new  and 


84 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


high  duties.  They  obeyed  instantly.  "And  when  they  had 
brought  their  boats  to  land,  they  left  all  and  followed  him." 
Three  of  the  four  had  been  associated  with  him  before  ai\d 
knew  the  blessedness  of  such  fellowship.  This  new  call  they 
understood  to  demand  permanent  allegiance  and  a  discipleship 
involving  constant  companionship.  Henceforth,  as  long  as 
they  lived,  they  should  be  fishers  of  men.  Three  of  them, 
also,  should  be  his  most  intimate  friends,  sharing  more  fully 
than  any  others  his  glory  and  liis  grief. 

The  Sabbath  Day  of  Miracles.— On  a  Sabbath  Day  soon 
after,  perhaps  only  one  week  later  than  his  rejection  at  Naza- 
reth, Jesus  went  into  the  synagogue  at  Capernaum  "and 
taught."  No  report  remains  of  his  discourse  ;  but,  whatever 
he  said,  the  effect  was  remarkable.  The  Nazarenes  had  been 
spell-bound  by  the  grace  of  his  speech ;  the  men  of  Caper- 
naum were  amazed  at  his  authoritative  manner — "for  he 
taught  them  as  one  having  authority,  and  not  as  the  scribes." 

In  the  synagogue  that  day,  mingling  with  the  worshipers, 
was  a  poor  creature  who  was  possessed  of  an  "unclean  spirit." 
The  teaching  which  astonished  and  charmed  the  othera, 
tortured  into  reckless  outcry  the  evil  tenant  of  this  poor 
human  body.  "What  have  we  to  uo  with  thee,  thou  Jesus 
of  Nazareth?"  was  the  cry  that  startled  the  synagogue;  "art 
thou  come  to  destroy  us?  I  know  thee,  who  thou  art,  thou 
Holy  One  of  God."  If  the  quality  of  Jesus'  teaching  had 
astonished  the  people,  the  character  of  this  declaration  must 
have  astonished  theu  even  more.  But  a  greater  marvel  was 
at  hand.  Further  clamor  from  this  demon-stirred  ton^^ue  was 
stopped  at  once  by  the  command  of  Jesus :  "  Hold  thy  peace 
and  come  out  of  him."  The  demon  obeyed  instantly,  but 
rudely.  Shrieking  in  impotent  rage,  it  convulsed  the  man 
and  flung  him  down  in  the  midst,  as  a  spiteful  child  might 
fling  to  the  floor  a  garment  which  it  had  been  forbidden  to 
wear.  But,  notwithstanding  the  fury  of  the  demon,  the  man 
Tvas  unhurt.     This  incidetit  made  a  profound  impression  upon 


^^_ 


THE   BEGINNING   AT  CAPERNAUM. 


85 


M 


l> 


the  people  who  witnessed  it,  and  they  went  out  of  the  syna- 
gogue, nut  liice  the  Nazareth  congregation  on  a  previous  Sub- 
bath,  with  murder  in  their  hearts,  but  with  praise  upon  their 
Ups,  so  that  in  a  siiort  while  the  whole  province  had  heard  of 
this  extraordinary  miracle.  Before,  in  Galilee,  he  iiad  shown 
his  authority  over  water,  disease,  and  fishes  ;  now  he  showed 
his  authority  over  demons, 

Peter's  mother-in-law  had  been  detained  from  the  syna- 
gogue service  that  morning  by  sickness  ;  and  when,  after  the 
service  was  over,  Jesus  went  to  Peter's  house,  some  one  told 
liim  she  was  sick.  Instantly  his  power  was  engaged  on  her 
behalf.  "And  he  came  and  took  her  by  the  hand  and  raised 
her  up,  and  the  fever  left  her."  So  complete  was  her  re- 
covery that  she  was  able  at  once  to  attend  to  such  duties  as 
the  law  i)ermitted  on  the  Sabbath  and  as  were  necessary  for 
the  comfort  of  her  guests  and  the  household. 

.Meantime,  the  events  of  the  morning  were  bcii«g  discussed 
in  every  street  and  home  in  the  city.  The  sick,  being  told  of 
the  great  Physician,  began  to  hope.  Anxious  friends  asked 
eagerly  whether  the  diseased  and  demon-possessed  in  their 
families  might  not  be  set  free.  Sufficient  answer  was  found 
in  a  narration  of  what  had  been  done  in  the  synagogue.  So 
universal  was  the  interest  of  the  people,  and  bo  widespread 
the  faith  in  his  power  to  heal,  that  at  sunset  Peter's  house 
was  sought  by  multitudes.  The  Sabbath  being  over,  it  was 
lawful  to  carry  the  sick.  These  were  brought,  therefore,  by 
solicitous  friends  and  relatives.  Crowds  followed  them. 
Thousands  were  soon  gathered  about  the  door.  All  classes 
and  ages  were  present.  The  aged  were  there,  wondering  at 
what  their  dim  eyes  saw.  Children  were  there,  receiving 
impressions  which  would  never  forsake  them.  And  in  that 
hour  Jesus  "  healed  many  that  were  sick  with  divers  diseases, 
and  cast  out  many  devils. ' '  The  demons  knew  that  he  was  the 
Son  of  God  and  would  have  told  ;  but  not  desiring  evidence 
from  a  source  so  unclean, ' '  He  suflfered  not  the  devils  to  speak. '  * 


Ijl? 


:til 


86 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Thus  ended  the  Sabbath  Day  of  luiracles.  Though  he 
would  leave  Giipernauni  the  next  morning,  there  would  remain 
in  many  homes  witnesses  to  his  power  and  grace.  If  signs 
and  wonders  liad  been  enough  to  convert  a  city,  Capernaum 
would  have  been  Christian  from  that  day. 

Related  Scripturk.— Mutt.  4  :  13-22;  8:14-17;  Mark  1 : 
16-34;  Luke  4  :  31  to  6  :  11. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  tho  first  rejection  at  Nazareth.  2.  Describe  Jesus' 
first  preaching  by  the  sea.  3.  Describe  the  miraculous  draught 
of  fishes.  4.  Describe  the  calling  of  the  four.  6.  Which  of  those 
were  among  the  first  five  disciples?  6.  Tell  how  these  three 
were  first  won  to  him?  7.  Compare  the  incidents  of  the  service 
in  the  synagogue  in  Capernaum  with  those  of  the  service  in 
Nazareth.  8.  Describe  the  casting  out  of  tho  unclean  spirit. 
9.  What  miracles  had  he  performed  before  this?  10.  Describe 
the  second  miracle  of  this  day.  11.  Why  were  not  the  sick 
brought  to  Jesus  before  sunset  ?  12.  How  general  was  the  heal- 
ing?   Compare  the  accounts  by  Mark  and  Luke. 


23, 
27. 
28, 
29, 
80, 


ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lessons  XI-XV. 

First  Cleansing  of  the  Temple. 
Conversation  with  Nicodemus. 
Jesus  Preaching  in  Judea. 
John's  Testimony  at  -^non. 
The  Imprisonment  of  John. 

31.  Jesus'  Departure  from  Judea. 

32.  Conversation  with  the  Woman  at  the  Well. 

33.  Two  Days  in  Sychar. 

34.  Rest  in  Cana. 
The  Nobleman's  Son. 

Beginning  of  Galilean  Ministry ;  First  Rejection  at  Naza- 
reth. 

37.  Removal  to  Capernaum. 

38.  Miraculous  Draught  of  Fishes;  Call  of  the  Four. 
36.  Sabbath  Day  of  Miracles. 


35. 
36. 


■  II  f 


XVI. 

THE  FIRST  PREACHIN1  TOUR  IN  GALILEE. 

The  Outlook. — The  only  voices  raised  against  Jesus  in 
Capernaum  were  the  voices  of  demons,  and  these  he  instantly 
silenced  by  the  exercise  of  his  irresistible  authority.  The 
people,  astonished  by  his  teachings,  and  carried  to  a  liigli 
pitch  of  enthusiasm  by  his  miracles,  were  eager  to  hear  more 
from  his  lips,  and  were  ready  to  tell  strangers  of  the  extra- 
ordinary events  which  had  come  to  pass  in  their  city.  From 
Capernaum,  therefore,  a  rumor  went  forth  into  the  villages 
and  cities  of  the  province  vhich  did  much  to  prepare  the  way 
fur  his  visits.  If  in  any  community  adverse  reports  from 
Nazareth  met  the  favorable  rumors  from  Capernaum,  the 
effect  doubtless  was  to 'increase  the  popular  interest,  the 
people  being  eager  to  see  the  man  concerning  whom  such 
contradictory  things  were  sj-i ' 

Jesus  at  Prayer. — Althcu^''i  the  Sabbath  Day  of  miracles 
had  been  full  of  exhausting  labor,  very  early  the  next  morn- 
ing, "a  {^reat  while  before  day,"  Jesus  rose  and  went  outside 
the  city  into  a  secluded  place  to  prjiy.  'J  here  would  come 
another  first  day  of  the  week  when,  from  a  deeper  sleep  and 
after  a  greater  victory,  he  w  uld  rise  very  early  in  the  morning 
and  go  forth  to  meet  his  disciples.  Now  he  has  vanquished 
disease  and  demons  ;  then  he  will  have  vanquished  death  and 
the  grave. 

Wiiilo  Jesus  was  praying  o'ltside  the  city,  the  people  were 
waking,  recalling  the  strange  events  of  the  Sabbath,  and 
turning  their  steps  toward  Pete!''s  house,  that  they  might  listen 
again  to  the  Teacher  and  witness  othor  miracles.     To  their 


surprise    and    disappointment,  t^iey  discovered 


when 
§7 


they 


88 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


f  P-. 


reached  the  lunisc  that  Jesus  was  not  there,  nor  could  Peter 
tell  tiiem  just  where  they  might  find  him.  However,  as  their 
numbers  increased  constantly,  and  the  inquiries  for  Jesus 
became  more  urgent,  Peter  and  other  disciples  began  a  search. 
Probably  they  were  aided  in  their  quest  by  their  knowledge 
of  his  habit  of  praying  in  solitude.  When  they  had  found 
him,  they  said  :  "All  are  seeking  thee."  To  them,  this  state 
oF  excited  inquiry  seemed  to  make  an  opportunity  which  Jesus 
ought  to  seize ;  to  him,  the  contrary  was  known  to  be  the 
fact ;  for  when  men  are  anxious  to  see  the  marvelous,  they 
are  in  no  mood  to  be  profited  by  exalted  teachings.  Mean- 
while, Galileo  was  dotted  with  villages  and  cities  which  had 
not  yet  heard  his  voice  nor  witnessed  the  display  of  his  attesting 
power.  To  these  he  must  go,  for  he  came  not  to  call  Caper- 
naum only,  but  Galilee  to  repentance.  Present  favor  in  this 
populous  town  must  not  chain  liis  feet,  while  throughout  the 
province  nmltitudes  were  scattered  as  sheep  having  no  shep- 
herd. He  IhfM'efore  answers  Peter  and  the  others  in  words 
which,  while  'iiclaring  his  own  purpose,  summoned  them  to 
a  wider  iiic/,1 :  Let  us  go  elsewhere  into  the  next  towns,  that 
I  may  preach  there  also;  for  to  this  end  came  I  forth." 
From  this  day  began  that  training  by  which  the  four  fisher- 
men of  Galilee  became  qualified  to  he  fishers  of  men. 

The  Tour  of  Galilee.— The  preaching  of  Jesus  during  his 
Judean  ministry  seems  to  have  been  done  in  the  open  air ; 
during  his  Galilean  ministry  he  preached  in  the  synagogues. 
This  brought  him  into  contact  with  the  leaders  of  thought  in 
the  province.  How  they  felt  toward  him  at  the  first  is  not 
shown  by  the  narrative,  but  that  he  was  heard  with  toleration, 
if  not  with  sympathy,  may  be  inferred  from  the  fiict  that  he 
met  but  little  opposition  until  a  fierce  wave  of  hostility  swept 
northward  from  Jerusalem  and  Judea,  creating  distrust  and 
bitterness  on  every  side.  Be&ides  preaching  the  gospel,  he 
scattered  mercies  with  a  generous  hand.  Diseases  of  all  kinds 
were  healed  and  demons  cast  out.     Particulars  of  the  mission 


THE  FinST  PUEACHING  TOUU  IN  fiALILFE.       89 


arc  not  given  ;  only  one  miracle  is  '1  '^cribed  ;  but  so  populous 
was  ilic  district  at  this  time,  and  fn>  ^Tcat  the  t'uvor  with  which 
lie  was  received,  that  we  may  believe  multitudes  heard  his 
message,  and  not  a  few  bel    ved  on  him.     It  is  not  improbable 


that  of  those  who  wci  o  w 
day  of  his  ascension,  and  w 
Holy  (ihost  was  given 
won  to  him  during  this  a. ah 
The  Healing  df  the  Lept 


tin  Oh  'lie  mount  of  Olives  the 

ried  in  Jerusalem  until  the 

iaj'  «>f  Pentecost,  some  were 

io  tour. 

lie  healing  of  the  leper  was 


a  prophecy  anil  u  picture ;  it  predicted  and  set  forth  hia 
attitude  toward  sin  and  the  sinful.  Others  shuimed  outcast 
lepers  and  sinnei^s  ;  ho,  when  they  prayed,  touched  and  healed 
them.  Mark  makes  this  simple  and  touching  record  :  "And 
there  cometh  a  leper,  beseeching  him,  and  kneeling  down  to 
him,  and  saying  unto  him.  If  thou  wilt  thou  canst  make  me 
clean."  Than  this  unaflfocted  statement  of  the  extraordinary 
conduct  of  this  loathsome  and  wretched  outcast,  no  assertion 
could  set  forth  more  graphically  that  Jesus  was  looked  upon 
as  a  man  utterly  unlike  the  rabbis  of  his  day.  The  attitude 
of  the  ordinary  rabbi  toward  a  leper  was  coldly  indifferent  or 
bitterly  cruel.  But  this  leper,  instead  of  running  away  from 
Jesus,  as  he  might  have  done  from  an  ordinary  rabbi,  came 
near  and,  kneeling,  prayed  for  healing. 

We  caimot  measure  the  agony  of  longing  in  this  prayer. 
From  the  moment  that  the  disease  was  discovered  in  his  body 
he  had  been  no  better  than  a  dead  man.  Dressed  as  a 
mourner,  and  wandering  in  lonely  places,  upon  liis  lips,  as 
often  as  any  person  drew  near,  there  had  been  the  cry, 
"Unclean!  unclean!" — a  ])leading  cry,  craving  the  prayers 
of  those  who  heard,  and  a  warning  cry,  bidding  them  shun 
him,  for  the  touch  of  his  body  or  clothes  brought  ceremonial 
defilement  when  it  did  not  bring  contagion.  AVhat,  then, 
must  have  been  the  intensity  of  this  poor  creature's  prayer  as 
he  knelt  before  Jesus,  and  declared  his  faith  in  the  cry:  "  If 
thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean." 


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90 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


:x 


Never  was  the  conipassion  of  Jesus  more  quick  in  its  outgoing. 
He  saw  the  loathsome  body ;  he  heard  tlie  distressful  prayer; 
and  he  "stretched  forth  his  hand  and  touched  him."  What 
grace  was  this  !  What  disregard  of  Jewish  prejudice  !  What 
audacity  of  compassion !  But  before  the  leper  had  time  to 
wonder  that  his  diseased  body  should  be  touched  pityingly  by 
this  Great  Physician,  Jesus  said:  "I  will;  be  thou  made 
clean."  And  instantly  his  flesh  became  whole  and  sound  as 
that  of  other  men.        ; 

In  touching  the  leper,  Jesus,  the  Son  of  Righteousness, 
had  taken  no  more  risk  of  defilement  than  if  he  had  been  a 
sunbeam  ;  but  his  regard  for  tlie  ceremonial  law  leads  him 
now  to  command  the  healed  man  to  attend  immediately  to 
the  Mosaic  requirement  in  such  cases  :  "  See  thou  say  nothing 
to  any  man,  but  go  thy  way,  show  thyself  to  the  priest,  and 
oflFer  for  thy  cleansing  the  things  which  Moses  corau)anded, 
for  a  testimony  unto  them. ' '  Not  j'et  had  the  new  superseded 
the  old.  Therefore,  the  cleansed  leper,  even  though  Christ 
was  his  healer,  must  obey  all  that  was  written  in  the -book  of 
the  law.  Perhaps  too,  Jesus  desired  him  to  present  himself 
to  the  priest  in  Jerusalem,  and  observe  carefully  the  Mosaic 
law,  in  order  that  the  Jewish  authorities  there  might  have 
a  new  opportunity  to  perceive  his  regard  for  the  law  and 
receive  additional  evidence  of  the  divine  power  which  dwelt 
in  him,  witnessing  to  his  clainl  that  he  came  forth  from  God. 

The  leper  was  not  obedient  to  the  command  of  Jesus.  In- 
stead of  keeping  secret  the  means  by  which  he  was  healed,  he 
went  everywhere  proclaiming  Jesus  as  his  healer.  As  a  result, 
Jesus  suffered  great  embarrassment  in  his  work.  The  crowds 
that  gathered  about  him  were  greater  than  ever,  but  they 
were  too  curious  to  be  receptive  of  the  truth,  and  too  wonder- 
struck  to  discern  spiritual  realities.  On  this  account  he  fouod 
it  necessary  to  avoid  the  cities.  But  even  the  desert  became 
populous  when  it  was  known  that  he  was  there,  for  "tiiey 
came  to  him  from  every  quarter."    Thus,  until  the  time  was 


THE  FIRST  PREACHING  TOUR  IN  GALILEE.       91 


ripe  for  him  to  return  to  Capernaum,  he  continued,  by  open- 
air  preaching,  tiie  work  which  he  had  begun  in  the  syna- 
gogues, making  known  the  ^.ay  of  life  more  perfectly,  and 
healing  as  many  as  were  brought  to  him. 


Belated  Scripture.— Matt.  4 
Luko4:42-44;  5:12-16. 


23;  8:1-4;  Mark  1:36-46; 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  What  use  did  Jesu3  make  of  synagogues  during  his  first  tour 
through  Galilee  ?  2.  Why  did  he  cease  to  preach  in  synagogues? 
3.  What  happened  on  the  morning  after  the  Sabbath  Day  of  mira- 
cles? 4.  Did  Jesus  perform  many  miracles  during  this  tour? 
5.  Who  were  his  companions  at  this  time?  6.  Tell  the  story  of 
their  former  relations  to  him.  7.  How  did  the  Jews  regard  lep- 
rosy ?  8.  Jn  what  words  did  the  leper  named  in  this  lesson  appeal 
to  Jesus?  9.  How  did  Jesus  respond?  10.  What  did  he  com- 
mand the  leper  to  do  after  the  healing?  ]  1.  Why  did  Jesus  give 
this  command  ?  12.  How  did  the  disobedience  of  the  healed  man 
interfere  with  Jesus'  plans  ? 


.■■!•■•' 


;;^- 


:,  A- 


"'  JfV'^;>n'ir,V'-^:' 


'vvvfj'^^t//^-*'^  ^''VV 


:/'vi'-;'-  ?■»■;,. ^.-.>> 


xvn. 


\;-<.-        l^       ,f       «■ 


GROWING  HOSTILITY  OF  THE  LEADERS. 

The  Healing  of  the  Paralytic— Though  it  is  likely  that 
the  absence  of  Jesus  on  his  preaching  tour  had  extended  over 
a  considerable  period,  the  people  of  Capernaum  had  not 
ceased  to  feel  a  deep  interest  in  hiiu  ;  and,  therefore,  on  his 
return  to  the  city  they  gathered  about  hiiu  in  throngs. 
Again  he  was  their  Teacher  and  Healer ;  but  now  enemies 
mingled  with  those  w^p  admired  his  wisdom  or  wondered  at 
his  power.  So  startling  were  the  rumors  which  had  gone  out 
into  all  parts  of  Palestine,  that  the  leaders  of  thought  through- 
out the  whole  country  deemed  it  necessary  to  weigh  carefully 
his  teachings,  and  to  watch  closely  the  movement  which  he 
was  leading.  It  therefore  came  to  pass  that  on  a  day  when 
he  was  teaching  in  the  house,  among  those  wh  '  vonged  the 
place  to  listen,  there  were  f  jund  scribes  and  .risees  from 
many  Galilean  villages,  and  from  Jerusalem  and  other  parts 
of  Judea.  No  friendly  purpose  had  brought  them  into  thafe 
company ;  they  were  es'eing  him  keenly,  that  they  might  dis- 
cover something  which  could  justify  them  in  open  opposition. 
A  sensation  was  in  store  for  them  that  day. 

While  these  hostile  critics  were  listening  suspiciously  to  his 
words,  four  men  of  Capernaum  were  engaging  their  strength 
and  wit  in  behalf  of  a  helpless  paralytic.  Believing  that 
Jesus  could  heal  him,  and  finding  it  impossible  to  penetrate 
the  crowd  that  filled  the  house,  they  made  their  way  to  the 
roof  with  their  burden,  broke  a  hole  in  it  above  Jesus'  head, 
and  .let  the  paralytic  down  before  him.  Jesus,  recognizing 
their  faith,  said  to  the  sick  man,  "Son,  be  of  good  cheer; 
thy  sins  are  forgiven."  The  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hearing 
92 


GBOWIifG   HOSTILITY  OF  THE  LEADERS. 


93 


;   i 


these  words,  were  horrified.  Had  he  not  spoken  during 
blasphemy?  Who  could  forgive  sin  save  God  alone ?  They 
said  nothing  openly,  however,  their  opposition  on  this  day 
being  sly  rather  than  clamorous ;  but  Jesus,  reading  their 
hearts,  perceived  their  irritation,  and  by  a  sign  demonstrated 
his  right  to  utter  the  words  by  which  they  had  been  shocked. 
Turning  to  the  stiflF,  bed-ridden  paralytic,  he  bade  him  rise, 
take  up  his  bed,  and  go  home  ;  a  command  which  was  obeyed 
immediately  and  with  great  joy,  to  the  wonder  of  the  multi- 
tude and  the  confusion  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees.  The 
people  in  transports  of  admiring  delight  said  to  one  another, 
"  We  never  saw  it  in  this  fashion  ! "  The  objectors,  on  the 
other  hand,  though  they  could  say  nothing  against  it,  were 
none  the  less  hostile,  because  of  his  rebuke,  but  lodged  in 
their  memory  the  words  he  had  spoken,  and  awaited  their 
time. 

The  Call  of  Matthew.— Levi,  thenceforth  to  be  called 
Matthew,  sat  at  the  receipt  of  custom,  near  the  seaside.  He 
was  a  serious  man,  anxious  for  good,  but,  because  of  his  occu- 
pation, was  scorned  by  the  rabbis,  who  taught  that  repentance 
was  particularly  difficult  to  such  as  he.  Probably  he  had 
given  a  sympathetic  hearing  on  many  occasions  to  the  merci- 
ful doctrines  of  Jesus,  and,  therefore,  when  one  day  he  heard 
the  call.  "  Follow  me,"  at  once  "  he  forsook  all,  and  rose  up 
and  followed  him."  He  entered  upon  his  disci pleship  with 
the  joy  of  a  soul  liberated  from  oppressive  bondage.  By  a 
feast  in  honor  of  Jesus,  he  sought  to  express  his  admiring 
devotion  to  his  Master,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  his 
acquaintances  and  friends  an  opportunity  to  hear  the  teach- 
ings which  had  revealed  to  him  a  new  world.  Jesus  accepted 
the  proflFered  courtesy,  and  sat  down  with  Matthew's  guests, 
the  "  publicans  and  sinners,"  upon  whom  the  Pharisees  were 
accustomed  to  look  with  disdain.  His  condescension  was  a 
grievous  affront  to  these  arrogant  separatists  ;  but  instead  of 
complaining  directly  to  him,  they  with  more  subtlety  spake 


94 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESCS. 


aside  to  bis  disciples,  '*Why  do  ye  eat  with  publicans  and 
sinners?"  If  possible,  they  would  persuade  his  own  follow- 
ers to  distrust  him,  and  thus  further  their  hostile  purposes. 
But  he  surprised  and  confused  them  by  answering  the  ques- 
tion which  they  had  been  careful  he  should  not  hear :  ''They 
that  are  whole  have  no  need  of  a  physician,  but  they  that 
are  sick;  I  came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners." 
This  answer  was  not  only  a  defense  of  his  own  conduct,  but 
strongly  rebuked  that  of  his  critics,  who  piided  themselves 
on  being  Pharisees,  the  separated,  and  called  to  themselvos 
only  those  whom  they  deemed  righteous.  This  incident  was 
a  fitting  sequel  to  the  call  of  the  tax-gatherer,  Matthew. 

The  Healing  at  the  Pool  of  Bethesda.— The  hostility 
against  Jesus,  already  formidable  because  he  was  the  friend 
of  sinners  and  claimed  authority  to  forgive  sin,  was  soon 
destined  to  grow  murderous.  Events  were  approaching  which 
would  cause  the  smoldering  opposition  of  his  enemies  to  blaze 
forth  furiously.     These  events  related  to  the  Sabbath. 

While  in  Jerusalem  attending  a  feast,— perhaps  the  Pass- 
over, though  this  cannot  be  affirmed  confidently, — he  went 
down  to  the  pool  of  Bethesda,  and  was  looking  upon  the 
multitudes  of  poor,  sad  creatures  who  were  lying  there  with 
the  hope  of  receiving  benefit  from  bathing  in  the  medicinal 
waters  of  the  pool.  They  were  a  motley  and  miserable  com- 
pany. Some  were  blind,  some  halt,  some  withered.  One 
case,  perhaps  the  most  pitiable  of  all,  attracted  Jesus'  atten- 
tion. The  man  beside  whom  he  paused  was  infirm  and  help- 
less, and  had  been  in  that  plight  for  thirtj'-eight  years.  The 
dispirited  creature  heard  the  pitying  words,  "  Wouldest  thou 
be  made  whole?"  and  answered  sadly,  revealing  his  friend- 
lessness,  "  Sir,  I  have  no  man,  when  the  water  is  troubled,  to 
put  me  into  the  pool ;  but  while  I  am  coming,  another  step- 
peth  down  before  me."  To  this  confession  of  helpless  infirm- 
ity, Jesus  replied  :  "  Arise,  take  up  thy  bed  and  walk."  The 
amazing  command  was  immediately  obeyed. 


GKOWING   HOSTILITY  OP  THE   LEADERS. 


95 


M 


The  healed  man  had  not  taken  many  steps  before  he  was 
challenged  by  certain  Jews  who,  instead  of  being  moved  to 
wonder  at  seeing  this  poor  creature  whole,  were  stirred  to 
wrath  because,  contrary  to  rabbinic  law,  he  was  carrying  a 
burden  on  the  Sabbath.  When  questioned,  he  defended  him- 
self by  declaring  :  ^'  He  that  made  me  whole,  the  same  said 
unto  me,  Take  up  thy  bed  and  walk."  Instead  of  asking, 
"Who  made  thee  whole?"  they  revealed  their  temper  by 
demanding:  '*  Who  is  t)ie  man  that  said  unto  thee,  Take  up 
thy  bed  and  walk  ?  "  The  healed  man  could  not  tell.  Jesus 
was  a  stranger  to  him,  and  was  no  longer  in  sight.  But  later 
his  healer  met  him  in  the  temple,  and  said  to  him,  "  Behold, 
thou  art  made  whole  ;  sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing  befall 
thee."  Thereupon  the  man,  with  strange  stupidity,  went 
away  and  told  the  Jews  that  it  was  Jesus  who  had  made  him 
whole.  To  Jesus  the  results  were  both  unpleasant  and 
dangerous,  for  from  that  hour  persecution  became  open  and 
malignant.  The  storm  grew  yet  more  fierce  when,  in  answer 
to  their  accusations,  he  said,  *'  My  Father  worketh  hitherto, 
and  I  work."  Thenceforth  "the  Jews  sought  the  more  to 
kill  him,  because  he  not  only  brake  the  Sabbath,  but  also 
called  God  his  own  Father,  making  himself  equal  with  God." 
Thus  the  Sabbath  controversy  opened  in  Judea. 

The  Disciples  Plucking  the  Ears  of  Grain.— The  disci- 
ples were  hungry  one  day  as  they  passed  through  the  grain 
fields  with  Jesus,  and  gathering  the  ripe  heads  of  grain,  they 
rubbed  out  the  kernels  and  ate  them.  It  was  the  Sabbath, 
and  certain  Pharisees,  who  saw  the  act,  were  scandalized  ;  for 
siccording  to  their  absurd  laws,  the  plucking  of  the  ears  of 
grain  was  equivalent  to  reaping,  and  rubbing  out  the  kernels 
was  equivalent  to  threshing  and  winnowing ;  and  therefore 
these  acts  were  included  in  the  list  of  prohibited  labor. 
When  these  Pharisees  remonstrated  with  Jesus  because  of 
the  conduct  of  his  disciples,  he  reminded  them  that  David,  in 
an  hour  of  great  need,  ate  the  shewbread,  contrary  to  law. 


96 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


and  that  the  priests,  though  they  served  in  the  temple  on  the 
Sabbath,  were  blameless  because  they  were  discharging  relig- 
ious duties ;  thus  compelling  them  to  see  that  their  rigid  laws 
after  all  admitted  of  exceptions ;  and  then  he  asserted  his 
right  to  make  laws  for  his  own  discipies  by  the  statement, 
"  The  Son  of  Man  is  Lord  even  of  the  Sabbath  Day." 

The  Healing  of  the  Man  with  the  Withered  Hand.— 
The  controversy  over  the  Sabbath  question,  which  arose  in  the 
grain  field,  was  continued,  probably,  on  the  following  Sabbath, 
in  the  synagogue.  The  Pharisees,  who  were  seeking  grounds 
of  accusation  against  him,  called  his  attention  to  a  man  with 
a  withered  hand,  who  was  present  in  the  congregation.  "Is 
it  lawful  to  heal  on  the  Sabbath  Day?"  they  asked.  They 
believed  it  was  not,  and  their  question  was  sinister.  But 
though  he  penetrated  their  cunning,  and  perceived  their 
malice,  lie  made  no  attempt  to  avoid  the  trap  which  they  had 
set.  Reminding  his  questioners  that  any  one  of  them  would 
be  very  prompt  in  saving  an  imperilled  sheep  on  the  Sabbath 
Day  if  it  belonged  to  himself,  he  made  tlie  -comment :  "  How 
much  then  is  a  man  better  than  a  sheep  ?  Therefore  it  is  law- 
ful to  do  well  on  the  Sabbath  days."  Having  stated  the 
principle,  he  acts  upon  it.  "Stretch  forth  thy  hand,"  said 
he  to  the  man.  Though  the  hand  was  withered,  the  will  to 
obey  was  there,  and  the  power  to  obey  was  given.  "  And  he 
stretched  it  forth,  and  it  was  restored  whole,  like  as  the  other." 
In  Jerusalem,  as  a  result  of  the  Sabbath  controversy  there, 
the  purpose  to  murder  him  was  formed.  A  like  thing  happens 
now  in  Galilee.  The  Pharisees  go  out  of  tiie  synagogue  and, 
in  conference  with  certain  Herodians,  conspire  to  destroy  him. 
Having  failed  to  silence  him  by  argument,  they  are  ready  to 
resort  to  murder.  .^w^sr 

-  The  Betreat. — Wher  nothing  could  be  gained  by  incurring 
danger,  Jesus  was  in  the  habit  of  avoiding  it.  On  the  pres- 
ent occasion  he  sought  safety  by  withdrawing  into  a  less  popu- 
lous part  of  the  country.    But  where  he  went  the  crowds 


n 


GROWING  HOSTILITY  OF  THE  LEADEBS. 


97 


80on  followed.  They  came  from  all  parta  of  the  laud ;  from 
Galileo  aud  Judca,  from  the  regloD  of  the  Tyre  and  Sidon  in 
the  north,  from  Iduuiea  in  the  south,  and  from  beyond  Jor- 
dan in  the  eaat.  The  uiurduruus  resentment  of  the  scribes 
and  Pharisees  could  not  stay  the  progress  of  his  glorious  and 
compassionate  work.  The  sick  were  healed,  the  miserable 
were  comforted,  the  ignorant  were  taught.  But  though  he 
was  blessing  multitudes,  and  harming  none,  the  hate  of  the 
Jewish  leaders,  like  the  fierceness  of  a  bloodhound,  was  upon 
his  track,  and  wanted  opportunity  only  to  rend  him  to  pieces. 

Rblatkd  Scriptuek.— Matt.  9  : 1-17;  12  :  1-14;  Markp  :  1  to 
8  :  6;  Luke  6  :  17  to  6  :  11 ;  John  ch.  6. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  In  what  three  ways,  as  recorded  in  this  lesson,  did  Jesus 
offend  the  Pharisees?  2.  How  did  he  prove  that  he  had  author- 
ity to  forgive  sin  ?  8.  How  did  he  justify  himself  for  associating 
with  sinners?  4.  How  did  he  justify  his  attitude  toward  the 
Sabbath?  6.  Describe  the  three  occasions  on  which  there  were 
Sabbath  controversies  6.  Find  in  these  authority  for  teaching 
that  works  of  "necessity,"  "religion,"  and  "mercy"  maybe 
done  on  the  Sabbath.  7.  What  parts  of  Pnlestino  were  repre- 
sented by  the  nr.ultitudes  who  followed  Jeuu  v  when  he  retreated 
before  the  murderous  hostility  of  the  Pharisees?  8.  By  what 
were  these  multitudes  chiefly  attracted? 


G 


XVIII.     o 


THE  CHOOSINQ  OP  THE  TWELVE. 


.'■«•;■   ' 


The  Personal  Gall  —From  conflicts  with  foes  Jesus  was  in 
the  habit  of  turning  for  comfort  to  fellowsliip  with  friends. 
After  his  awful  wrestling  with  Satan  in  the  forty  days'  temp- 
tation, he  returned  from  the  wilderness  to  win  the  five  disci- 
plus  who  should  be  his  companions  during  the  early  weeks, 
and  perhaps  months  of  his  labors.  After  his  rejection  in 
Nazareth  also,  as  he  turned  away  from  the  home  of  his  child- 
hood as  solitary  as  when  he  returned  from  the  wilderness,  he 
went  to  Capernaum  and  thence  to  the  sea  of  Galilee,  where 
he  found  and  called  to  constant  companionship,  Andrew, 
Peter,  James,  and  John.  And  now  another  storm  burst 
upon  him.  The  first  victories  in  the  controversies  over  the 
Sabbath  question,  were  with  Jesus;  but  now  the  Pharisees 
are  waiting  their  turn.  He  won  by  means  of  truth  ;  they  are 
willing  to  win  by  murder.  What  they  are  seeking  they  will 
find  ;  but  their  triumph  will  be  their  eternal  defeat,  and  his 
defeat  will  be  his  eternal  triumph.  But  though  there  will  be 
future  joy,  the  present  trouble  is  real  and  terrible.  Calvary 
is  in  sight.  The  cross  cast  upon  him,  as  he  entered  the  tem- 
ple to  perform  the  first  act  of  his  public  ministry,  a  thin,  nar- 
row shadow.  "Destroy  this  temple,"  he  said,  "and  in 
three  days  I  will  raise  it  up;"  but  now,  as  in  both  Galilee 
and  Judea  murderers  are  going  apart  stealthily  to  plot  his 
destruction,  thsit  shadow  grows  thick  and  great.  Now  is  his 
heart  troubled ;  what  shall  he  do  ?  He  prays.  The  whole 
night  is  not  too  long  for  his  communion  with  his  Father  con- 
cerning the  afiaira  of  his  ministry.  "And  it  came  to  pass  in 
these  days,  that  he  went  out  into  the  mountain  to  pray ;  and 
98 


I 


THE  CHOOSING  OP  THE  TWELVE. 


99 


he  continued  nil  night  in  prayer  to  God."  And  when  the 
morning  came  lie  called  twelve  of  his  disciples  to  himself,  and 
set  them  apart  to  a  new  intimacy  and  work. 

He  foresaw  the  day  when  the  purposes  which  the  Jews 
were  now  cherishing  should  be  accomplished.  He  must  make 
ready  for  that  day.  Tiiese  twelve  are  therefore  set  apart  now, 
that  by  teaching,  chastening,  and  a  supernatural  investiture, 
they  might  be  qualified  for  the  great  tasks  to  which  they  will 
be  set.  "  And  he  appointed  twelve,  that  they  might  be  with 
him,  and  that  he  might  send  them  forth  to  preach,  and  to 
have  authority  to  cast  out  devils."  As  his  life  darkens 
because  of  Jewish  hate,  he  desires  their  fellowship ;  hence- 
forth, therefore,  these  shall  be  "with  him."  By-and-by  his 
voice  will  be  no  more  heard  in  synagogue,  in  field,  or  by  the 
sea;  therefore,  he  will  "send  them  forth  to  preach"  while 
he  is  still  with  them,  that  when  he  is  gone  they  may  know 
how  they  ought  to  bear  themselves  in  the  midst  of  a  perish- 
ing world.  And  now,  also,  while  he  is  with  them  to  check  their 
pride,  and  chide  their  boasting,  he  will  give  them  "  authority 
to  cast  out  devils,"  that  when  in  a  later  day,  mighty  works 
are  done  in  the  name  of  the  risen  Lord,  they  shall  say  frankly 
and  humbly  to  those  who  wonder  and  watch  :  "Why  fasten 
ye  your  eyes  on  us?  ...  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Nazareth  .  ,   .  doth  this  man  stand  here  before  you,  whole." 

Luke  gives  the  list  of  the  twelve  as  follows:  "Simon, 
whom  he  also  named  Peter,  and  Andrew  his  brother,  and 
James  and  John,  and  Philip  and  Bartholomew,  and  Matthew 
and  Thomas,  and  James,  the  son  of  AlphsBus,  and  Simon, 
which  was  called  the  Zealot,  and  Judas,  the  son  of  James, 
and  Judas  Iscariot,  which  was  the  traitor."  If  Iscariot  is 
derived  from  Ish  Keric/th,  i.  e.,  a  man  of  Kerioth,  as  many 
believe,  Judas,  the  traitor,  spent  his  early  days  in  the  "  bor- 
der of  Edom  in  the  south"  (Josh.  15  :  21-25),  and,  there- 
fore, was  a  Judean.  All  the  others  were  Galileans.  The 
five  who  first  became  his  disciples  arc  found  in  this  list — 


i 


100 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


John,  Andrew,  Poter,  Philip,  and  Bartholomew  (Nathanael). 
James,  also,  whom  with  Peter,  Andrew,  and  John,  he  called 
from  fishing  nets  that  he  might  make  him  a  fisher  of  men,  is 
now  one  of  the  twelve  as  then  ho  was  one  of  the  four.  Two 
of  these,  Matthew  and  John,  were  ailcrward  chosen  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  write  histories  of  the  Teacher  who  that  morn- 
ing called  them  to  the  apostleship.  Three  of  them,  Peter, 
James,  and  John,  became  in  respect  to  certain  privileges  of 
fellowship,  the  chosen  three  of  the  chosen  twelve. 

The  Sermon  on  the  Honnt. — The  choosing  of  the  twelve 
was  preceded  by  a  night  of  prayer,  and  followed  by  a  sermon. 
Others  than  the  twelve  heard  it.  Matthew  records  that  when 
it  was  ended  the  '^ multitudes  were  astonished."  It  is  likely 
that  the  mountain  on  which  he  spent  the  night  was  not  far 
from  Capernaum,  and  his  presence  there  being  known,  great 
throngs  had  come  out  to  secure  from  him  blessings  for  their 
bodies  or  their  souls.  While  probably  the  greater  number  of 
these  were  from  the  nearer  Galilean  towns,  doubtless  many 
were  present  also  from  other  and  more  distant  parts  of  Pales- 
tine. The  hour  was  favorable  for  a  formal  statement  of  his 
doctrines.  He  was  the  Messiah,  a  King.  He  had  chosen 
his  ambassadors,  and  set  them  apart  to  their  solemn  duties. 
The  occasion  was  ripe  for  him  to  make  a  full  statement  of  the 
principles  on  which  his  kingdom  was  established.  Therefore, 
while  multitudes  hearken  he  delivers  the  "Sermon  on  the 
Mount." 

This  sermon  stands  alone  in  the  literature  of  the  world. 
Though  one  were  ignorant  of  his  miracles  and  resurrection, 
yet,  reading  this  discourse  intelligently,  he  would  find  ample 
proof  that  Jesus  was  **  a  Teacher  come  from  God." 

The  sermon  opens  with  beatitudes.  They  are  Jesus'  gifts 
to  his  disciples  of  "gold  and  frankincense  and  myrrh." 
When  he  instructs  his  beloved,  the  teachings  full  from  lips 
that  bless. 

Having  declared  the  privileges  of  those  who  belong  to  his 


THE  CH008INO  OP  TIIE  TWELVE. 


101 


kingdom,  ho  oorreots  a  possible  mistake.  Some  may  cnnjco- 
turo  that  ho  has  oomo  to  destroy  tlie  luw  and  the  propiicts; 
he  affirms  that  he  has  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  The 
old  law,  grown  to  its  full  stature  wlien  sot  free  from  rabbinio 
bondage,  shall  be  the  law  of  his  kingdom.  No  jot  or  tittle 
shall  pass  away  unfulfilled.  What  he  would  destroy  is  that 
false  interpretation  of  the  law  which  foolish  and  formal 
teachers  had  made  current.  ''Ye  have  heard  that  it  was 
said,  .  .  .  but  I  say"  is  the  formula  with  which  he  opens 
various  criticisms  of  the  law  as  they  had  learned  it,  and  then 
ho  brings  out  those  deeper  meanings  which  a  stupid  literalism 
had  hidden. 

Alms,  prayer,  and  fasting,  which  had  lost  all  reality  because 
of  the  Pharisaic  example,  he  sets  forth  as  true  only  when 
born  in  the  heart,  and  when  there  is  a  willingness  to  keep 
them  from  the  eyes  of  men.  As  the  relation  of  the  heart  to 
murder  and  lust  determined  guilt,  whether  the  act  had  fol- 
lowed desire  or  not,  so  the  relation  of  the  heart  to  alms, 
prayer,  and  fasting  determined  their  value  in  the  sight  of 
God.  Worldliness  is  shown  to  bo  unworthy  of  the  kingdom 
of  God.  Goods  are  for  scattering  and  not  for  heaping; 
heaven  is  the  true  treasure-house  ;  anxiety  ii*  atheistic ;  faith 
is  righteous.  Thus  he  teaches  his  disciples  the  true  relation 
of  the  outward  to  the  inward,  and  of  the  temporal  to  the 
spiritual ;  and  bids  them  give  themselves  to  God  in  artless 
trust. 

The  final  division  of  the  sermon  teaches  them  how  they 
shall  advance  the  kingdom.  If  they  would  learn  who  may  be 
received,  let  them  not  lean  upon  their  own  understanding,  but 
seek  wisdom  from  God.  Let  them  take  heed  how  they  deny 
the  kingdom  to  any.  "Judge  not  that  ye  be  not  judged." 
On  the  other  hand,  let  them  not  be  too  brave  in  their  offers 
of  it  to  all.  *'  Give  not  that  which  is  holy  unto  the  dogs." 
"Ask,"  "seek,"  "knock"  and  the  Father  will  give  unto 
them  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  he  shall  guide  them  into  all  truth. 


102 


IV  ;    THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS* 'Y '«r*^-v 


Then  shall  they  be  wise  in  winning  subjects  for  the  King, 
and  shall  be  discriminating  and  strong  in  the  presence,  of 
traitors  and  foes.  :! 

The  sermon  concludes  with  a  gracious  promise  and  a 
3olemn  warning.  Of  those  who  heard  him  that  da}',  some 
listened  with  conviction,  while  others  were  ready  for  doubtful 
disputations.  The  former  he  assures,  the  latter  he  warns,  by 
declaring  that  those  who,  on  hearing  his  words  obey  them, 
are  builders  upon  the  rock,  from  which  no  storm  can  sweep 
them  away,  while  all  who  hear  without  giving  heed  are 
builders  upon  the  sand,  whose  ruin  waits  only  the  coming  of 
the  tempest  and  the  flood.  .    y.   ;■.'; 

When  the  discourse  was  ended  the  people  were  filled  with 
delight.  Accustomed  to  rabbinic  teaching,  with  its  mazes  of 
casuistry  and  masses  of  cited  "instances"  and  quotations, 
the  positive  and  authoritative  manner  of  Jesus  both  aston- 
ished and  charmed  them  ;  "  for  he  taught  them  as  one  hav- 
ing authority,  and  not  as  the  scribes."  ; 


Eklatkd  Scripturb.- 
Luke  6 :  13-49. 


-Matt.  10 :  2-4 ;  oh.  5-7 ;  Mark  3 :  7-19 ; 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Name  the  first  five  disciples.  2.  State  the  circumstances 
under  which  each  became  a  disciple.  3.  How  long,  probably, 
did  they  remain  with  him  at  the  first?  4.  Describe  the  calling 
of  the  four.  5.  "What  great  conflict  preceded  the  calling  of  the 
five?  6.  What  great  sorrow  preceded  the  calling  of  the  four? 
7.  What  great  controversy  and  danger  preceded  the  calling  of 
the  twelve?  8.  Name  the  twelve.  9.  How  many  were  Gali- 
leans? 10.  Why  is  it  thought  that  Judas  was  a  Judean?  11. 
How  did  Jesus  spend  the  night  before  the  choosing  of  the  twelve? 
12.  What  reasons  are  given  in  the  Gospels  for  the  appointing  of 
the  apostles?  13.  Where  was  the  "Sermon  on  the  Mount" 
delivered?    14.  Make  an  analysis  of  this  sermon. 


THE  CHOOSING  OP  THE  TWELVE. 


103 


REVIEW  QUESTIONS. 

1.  What  was  the  name  of  the  angel  who  appeared  to  Zacha- 
rias?  2.  On  how  many  occasions  was  Joseph  supcrnaturally 
directed?  3.  Describe  the  visit  of  the  Wise  Men.  4.  Discover 
whether  the  Scriptures  record*  the  number  of  these.  5.  Why  did 
Herod  desire  the  death  of  Jesus?  6.  Which  Herod  was  this? 
7.  Where  did  Jesus  begin  his  public  ministry?  8.  Give  two 
reasons  why  he  left  Judea  for  Galilee.  9.  In  what  part  of  his 
public  ministry  was  his  work  similar  to  that  of  John  the  Baptist? 
10.  Write  out  in  your  own  language  the  conversation  with  Nico- 
demus.  11.  Describe  the  first  rejection  at  Nazareth.  12.  Where 
did  Jesus  go  aftor  the  Sabbath  Day  of  Miracles?  13.  What 
miracle  belonging  to  his  first  preaching  tour  through  Galilee  ig 
recorded?  14.  Describe  the  healing  of  the  paralytic.  15.  What 
offense  did  ho  give  the  Jews  at  this  time?  16.  How  did  he 
offend  them  at  the  pool  of  Bethcsda?  In  the  grain  fields?  When 
ho  healed  the  man  with  the  withered  hand?  17.  How  did  ho 
offend  them  at  the  feast  given  by  Matthew?  18.  Classify  these 
grounds  of  offense.       • 


'V 


XIX. 


MIRACLES  AND  MERCIES. 


The  Healing  of  the  Centurion's  Servant.— Afler  the 
sermon  on  the  Mount,  Jesus  returned  to  Capernaum,  the 
city  of  his  temporary  home,  where  so  many  of  his  mighty 
works  were  done.  His  coming  brought  healing  to  the  sick, 
comfort  to  the  sad,  and  hope  to  the  sinful. 

Among  the  troubled  in  Capernaum  at  this  time  was  a  cen- 
turion, probably  an  officer  in  the  employ  of  Herod  Antipas, 
whose  favorite  servant  was  suffering  from  a  paiuful  and  dan- 
gerous malady.  All  that  could  be  done  by  careful  nursing 
and  medical  skill  had  been  done,  but  without  effect ;  and  the 
servant  was  now  about  to  die,  when  word  was  brought  to  the 
centurion  that  Jesus  was  in  the  town.  This  message  awak- 
ened hope ;  and  he  decided  at  once  to  seek  the  Teacher's 
lielp.  Not  knowing  that  Jesus  was  no  respecter  of  persons, 
he  thought  he  would  make  his  appeal  more  effective  by  per- 
suading the  elders  of  the  Jews  to  intercede  for  him.  This 
they  were  very  willing  to  do,  because  attached  and  grateful 
to  him  on  account  of  his  generosity  in  building  them  a  syna- 
gogue. When  the  Jews  came  to  Jesus  they  made  the  appeal 
as  urgent  as  they  could,  and  were  successful  in  securing  an 
instaiit  and  sympathetic  response.  The  whole  company  set 
out  immediately  for  the  centurion's  house,  but  before  they 
reached  it,  Jesus  was  strangely  interrupted.  After  sending 
his  message,  something  had  occurred  to  the  mind  of  the  cen- 
turion, which  in  his  great  anxiety,  he  had  for  the  time  for- 
gotten. He  was  a  Gentile.  He  was  not  worthy  tlmt  Jesus 
should  come  under  his  roof.  This  unusual  humility  was 
accompanied  by  marvelous  faith.     "Say  the  word,"  so  ran 


ivr* 


\ 


■■-'/f^- 


MIRACLES  AND  MERCIES. 


105 


the  message  which  was  now  brought  to  Jesus  by  the  friends 
whom  the  centurion  had  sent  forth  to  meet  him,  "and  my 
servant  shall  be  healed."  His  military  life  had  suggested  to 
his  mind  the  figure  which  gave  form  to  his  faith.  He  was 
under  authority,  and  obeyed ;  others,  who  were  under  his 
authority,  obeyed  his  word.  He  believed  that  Jesus  sus- 
tained a  similar  relation  to  heavenly  authority  above,  and  to 
all  things  beneath  him.  As  the  centurion's  servant  obeyed 
his  word,  so  he  believed  disease  would  obey  the  word  of  this 
greater  Captain. 

A  multitude  was  following  Jesus  at  this  time,  curious  to  see 
what  he  would  do  when  he  reached  the  house  of  the  centu- 
rion. To  this  he  turned,  and  said:  "I  have  not  found  so 
great  faith,  no,  not  in  Israel."  Then  there  came  to  him 
thoughts  of  the  gentile  world,  of  which  this  centurion  was  a 
representative,  and  out  of  which,  contrary  to  the  belief  of 
the  Jews  who  now  thronged  him,  many  would  come  into  his 
kingdom.  He  felt  that  he  must  use  the  occasion  to  warn 
these  Jews.  There  was  need  that  their  false  security  should 
be  shaken.  Therefore  he  said  :  "Many  shall  come  from  the 
east  and  the  west,  and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and 
Isaac,  and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  This  state- 
ment alone  was  enough  to  fill  them  with  amazement,  but  he 
added  a  more  appalling  prediction:  "But  the  sons  of  the 
kingdom  shall  be  cast  into  the  outer  darkness."  Gentiles 
received  as  sons  of  the  kingdom,  and  Jews  rejected  as  out- 
casts !  What  teaching  was  this?  It  shocked  their  opinions, 
and  outraged  their  pride ;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  as  they 
heard  these  words,  so  full  of  gracious  promise  to  Gentiles 
and  of  solemn  chiding  to  the  Jews,  there  was  an  immediate 
illustration  of  the  "gnashing  of  teeth,"  if  not  of  the 
"weeping,"  which  should  make  more  awful  the  "outer  dark- 
ness "  of  which  he  spoke. 

Having  taught  the  multitude,  he  healed  the  servant.  "Go 
thy  way,"  he  said  to  the  suppliant ;  "as  thou  hast  believed. 


106 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


SO  be  it  done  unto  thee."  Once  there  had  come  from  this 
Capernaum  to  Oana  a  nobleman  who  had  pleaded  for  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  in  order  that  his  child  migiit  be  healed, 
and  Jesus  had  taught  him  that  a  word  was  sufficient.  Now 
a  centurion,  another  of  Herod  Antipas'  officers,  because  of 
his  humility  declines  the  presence  of  Jesus,  believing  that  a 
word  from  his  lips  is  enough  to  heal  the  sick.  Jesus  regards 
his  wish,  speaks  the  word,  and  turns  away.  ''And  the  ser- 
vant was  healed  in  that  hour." 

The  Baising  of  the  Young  Man  of  Nain.— From  Caper- 
naum Jesus  went  to  Nain,  about  twenty-five  miles  distant, 
accompanied  by  his  disciples  and  a  multitude  of  the  people. 
Much  excitement  must  have  been  occasioned  as  this  great 
company  journeyed.  While  the  procession  from  Capernaum 
was  drawing  near  Nain,  another  procession  was  coming  out 
of  the  city.  In  the  one  procession  was  the  Prince  of  Life, 
in  the  other  one  who  was  dead.  It  may  be  that  a  funeral 
orator  walked  at  the  head  of  the  procession,  proclaiming  the 
good  deeds  of  the  young  man  whose  body  was  being  borne 
to  burial,  and  that  just  behind  him,  and  in  front  of  the  bier, 
women  were  walking  and  lamentincr.  The  body  lay  uncovered 
upon  the  bier,  with  face  upturned  and  hands  crossed  upon  the 
breast.  Behind  the  bier  followed  the  relatives,  friends,  and 
a  great  company  of  sympathizers.  The  chief  mourner  was 
the  mother  of  the  dead,  a  widow,  and  now  childless.  Her 
tears,  flowing  freely,  declared  the  anguish  of  her  heart. 
"And  when  the  Lord  saw  her,  he  had  compassion  on  her, 
and  said  unto  her.  Weep  not."  A  strange  command  from 
him,  who  himself  had  made  the  eyes  for  tears,  and  the  heart 
for  love  I  But  its  meaning  became  apparent  in  a  moment. 
Going  to  the  bier,  he  touched  it;  "and  the  bearers  stood 
still,"  perhaps  amazed  at  his  disregard  of  ceremonial  defile- 
ment, or  commanded  by  the  majesty  of  his  look.  All  the 
crowd  wondered.  In  a  moment  their  wonder  was  mixed  with 
fear,  for  Jesus  spoke  to  the  dead,  saying  :  "Young  man,  I 


MIRACLES  AND  MERCIES. 


107 


ser- 


say  unto  thee,  Arise.  And  he  that  was  dead  sat  up  and  began 
to  speak. ' '  Then  he  gave  the  son  to  the  mother  ;  the  son  no 
longer  dead^  the  mother  no  longer  childless.  And  some  of 
the  people  said  :  ''A  great  prophet  has  arisen  among  us;" 
and  others,  "God  hath  visited  his  people."  All  wondered 
and  feared,  and  the  report  which  went  forth  from  Nain  pene- 
trated Judea  as  well  as  Galilee. 

John  the  Baptist's  Last  Message.— While  Jesus  was 
teaching  in  Samaria,  resting  in  Gana,  preaching  in  Nazareth, 
performing  mighty  works  in  Gapcrnaum,  and  extending  a 
knowledge  of  his  kingdom  throughout  all  parts  of  Galilee, 
John  the  Baptist  was  enduring  the  loneliness  and  hardship  of 
imprisonment  in  Machaerus,  east  of  the  Dead  Sea.  At  this 
time  reports  reached  him  of  the  miracles  which  accompanied 
Jesus*  teaching.  While  these  glorious  reports  rebuked  his 
doubts,  he  was  not  able  yet  to  harmonize  his  wearisome  cap- 
tivity with  his  former  hopes.  He  therefore  d.icided  to  ask 
of  Jesus  some  direct  word,  which  siiall  assure  his  faith ;  and 
for  this  purpose  he  sent  two  of  his  disciples,  who  evidently 
were  permitted  to  visit  the  captive  prophet,  to  put  to  Jesus 
the  question,  "Art  thou  he  that  cometh,  or  look  we  for 
another?" 

The  messengers  of  John  reached  Jesus  opportunely,  for  in 
that  very  hour  he  was  healing  diseases,  giving  sight  to  the 
blind,  and  casting  out  demons^  Instead  of  answering  Yes  or 
No  to  John's  question,  he  bade  the  messengers  return  and  tell 
the  Baptist  what  they  had  spen  and  heard,  knowing  that 
these  signs  would  be  recognized  at  once  by  the  forerunner  as 
the  fulfillment  of  the  Messianic  prophecy. 

The  messengers  departed  and  Jesus  began  to  preach,  tak- 
ing John  the  Baptis^,  as  his  text.  Perhaps  some  of  his  own 
disciples,  because  ot  the  doubt  which  John's  message 
betrayed,  began  to  regard  the  Baptist  as  a  reed  shaken  with 
the  wind.  Perhaps  too,  there  were  some  in  the  multitude 
who,  as  their  thoughts  turned  to  the  rugged  prophet,  whoso 


-V. 


108 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


severity  of  speech  was  matched  by  the  rudeness  of  his  dress, 
felt  some  revival  of  their  former  scorn  of  his  unUkeness  to 
those  who  "are  gorgeously  apparelled  and  live  delicately." 
For  all  these  there  was  a  rebuke  in  the  eulogy  which  Jesns 
delivered.  No  other  man  ever  received  such  praise  from  his 
lips.  "Among  them  that  are  born  of  women,"  he  said, 
"there  is  none  greater  than  John."  As  many  as  had  been 
baptized  by  John  heard  with  satisfaction  this  praise  of  their 
former  teacher,  but  the  Pharisees  present,  because  they  had 
not  submitted  to  his  baptism,  showed  their  disapproval  in  a 
manner  which  called  forth  from  Jesus  a  rebuke  which  was 
both  ironical  and  crushing.  Some  of  the  men  before  him  act 
like  children  at  play  in  the  market  place,  whom  nothing 
pleased.  They  disliked  John  because  he  was  austere ;  they 
dislike  Jesus  because  he  is  aocial.  But  while  they,  in  their 
unreasonini?  petulance,  reject  both  John  and  Jesus,  the  true 
children  of  the  kingdom,  discerning  the  fitness  of  variety, 
receive  the  teaching  of  John,  though  he  dwelt  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  become  disciples  of  Jesus,  though  he  mingles  famil- 
iarly with  men. 

The  First  Anointing  of  Jesns. — While  Jesus  was  a  guest 
in  the  house  of  Simon  the  Pharisee,  he  gave  the  Jews  a  new 
occasion  of  anger  and  suspicioi.  As  he  was  reclining  at  a 
table,  a  sinful  woman  of  the  city,  knowing  that  he  was  there, 
stole  in  and  taking  her  place  at  Jesus'  feet,  began  to  weep 
quietly  as  she  remembered  her  sins.  Perhaps  there  had  been 
repeated  to  her  some  of  his  gracious  words,  which  had 
brought  the  dawn  of  hope  to  her  troubled,  darkened  soul,  and 
she  had  felt  that  she  must  seek  him  out  and  hear  from  his 
lips  that  her  sins  were  pardoned.  Having  found  him  at 
table  she  will  not  speak  to  him  until  the  meal  is  over ;  but, 
because  she  cannot  endure  the  thought  of  losing  sight  of  him 
she  stands  at  his  feet  waiting  and  weeping.  Noticing  that 
teara  from  her  eyes  have  wet  his  feet,  she  hastens  to  wipe 
them  with  her  long,  flowing  hair,  and  then  as  her  heart  over- 


MIRACLES  AND   MERCIES. 


/  109 


flows  with  penitence  and  hope,  Sorrow  and  love,  she  kisses 
his  feet. 

Simon  sees  all  and  grows  suspicious.  He  reasons  that  if 
Jesus  were  a  prophet,  he  would  know  the  character  of  the 
woman  who  had  touched  him,  and  he  infers  that  if  he  were  a 
good  man  and  knew,  he  would  spurn  her.  Simon  is  right  in 
one  inference,  and  wrong  in  the  other.  Jesus  does  know  her 
character,  and  because  he  knows  he  does  not  drive  her  away. 
By  an  illustration  he  shows  the  Pharisee  that  this  woman  has 
aright  to  love  much,  because  she  has  been  forgiven  much, 
and  rebukes  at  the  same  time  Simon's  own  scant  cordiality. 
As  Jesus  was  speaking,  the  courage  of  the  poor  woman  must 
have  risen,  for  the  words  with  which  he  rebuked  Simon  con- 
tained a  gracious  message  for  her  heart.  But  a  better  moment 
comes  as  he  turns  to  her  and  says,  in  the  hearing  of  all,  ''  Thy. 
sins  are  forgiven. " 


Related  Scripturk.— Matt.  8 :  5-18 ;  11 : 2-19;  Luke  7 : 1-50. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Compare  the  accounts  of  the  healing  of  the  nobleman's  son 
and  of  the  centurion's  servant,  noting  similarities  and  differ- 
enees.  2.  Repeat  the  story  of  the  raising  of  the  young  man  of 
Nain.  8.  Find  on  the  map,  Capernaum,  Nain,  Nazareth.  4. 
What  was  John  the  Baptist's  message?  5.  Why,  and  by  whose 
orders,  was  he  in  prison?  6.  Give  the  points  of  Jesus'  eulogy 
of  John.  7.  Tell  in  detail  the  story  of  the  first  anointing  of 
Jesus. 


XX. 


A  CRISIS  IN  THE  GALILKIN  MINISTRY. 

The  Second  Preaching  Tour.— Jesus  was  now  in  the 
midst  of  his  second  preachiLg  tour  through  Galilee.  These 
days  were  characterized  by  immense  labors  on  his  part,  and 
by  multiplying  sorrows  and  dangers.  When  ho  made  his 
first  tour  of  the  Galilean  cities  he  encountered  little  opposi- 
tion, but  at  this  later  day  his  enemies  were  many  and  bitter, 
and  persecution  was  wakeful  and  inventive. 

On  his  first  preaching  tour,  Jesus  was  accompanied  by  the 
four  disciples  whom  he  had  lately  called  from  their  fisiiing 
nets ;  on  the  second  tour,  the  twelve  whom  he  had  just  set 
apart  to  the  apostolate  and  certain  godly  and  grateful  women 
were  with  him.  Thus,  though  he  was  harassed  by  tireless 
foes,  he  received  comfort  from  the  unwearying  ministrations 
of  constant  friends. 

The  number  of  women  found  among  his  followers  at  this 
time  was  large:  "Mary  that  was  called  Magdalene,  from 
whom  seven  devils  had  been  cast  out,  and  Joanna,  the  wife 
of  Chuza,  Herod's  steward,  and  Susanna,  and  many  others 
which  ministered  unto  them  of  their  substance."  All  of 
these  had  received  blessings  from  his  hands.  Mary  Magdalene 
had  been  a  demoniac,  while  others  had  been  the  victims  of 
diseases  of  various  kinds ;  and  when  these  women  found 
themselves  healed  they  were  impelled  by  gratitude  to  aid  his 
work  by  giving  of  their  means  to  the  sustenance  of  the 
evangelizing  company.  Tlie  home  of  Mary  was  in  Magdala, 
a  wealthy  and  wicked  town,  famous  for  its  dye-works  and 
woolen  manufactories,  which  were  situated  near  Bethsaida. 
There  is  nothing  in  the  Scriptures  to  show  that  Mary  was  a 
110 


A  CRISIS  IN  THE  GALILEAN  MINISTRY.       Ill 


woman  of  corrupt  morals :  and  the  prevalence  of  this  shock- 
ing slander  is  a  sad  illustration  of  the  perversity  of  the  human 
mind  in  clinging  to  an  opinion  which  originated  in  ancient 
ignorance.  If  Chuza  was  that  nobleman  of  Cupcrnuum  whose 
son  was  healed  by  Jesus — an  attractive  opinion  which,  how- 
ever, rests  only  on  conjecture — Joanna's  devotion  to  him 
would  find  its  first  explanation  in  the  miracle  wrought  for  her 
child.  Of  Susanna,  nothing  more  is  known  than  her  name. 
Only  one  of  these  three  ministering  women  appears  in  the 
later  history,  but  that  one  occupies  a  place  at  once  unique  and 
sacred.  Mary  Magdalene  was  one  of  the  fiiends  who  stood 
within  sight  of  the  cross  while  Jesus  was  dying.  She  also 
aided  in  preparing  the  spices  for  his  body,  and  was  one  of  the 
women  who,  on  going  to  the  place  of  burial  very  early  in  the 
morning  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  found  the  tomb  empty. 
And  to  her,  first  of  all,  Jesus  appeared  when  he  was  risen 
from  the  dead.  '  .      :         < 

An  Infamous  Charge. — During  this  second  preaching  tour 
the  miracles  of  Jesus  were  so  many  and  of  such  quality  that 
his  enemies  could  say  nothing  against  their  reality  or  marvel- 
ousness.  When  for  instance  he  raised  from  the  dead  the 
young  man  of  Nain,  he  furnished  a  "sign  "  which  must  have 
convinced  tlieni  had  their  minds  not  been  willfully  blinded. 
Instead,  however,  of  becoming  less  zealous  in  their  opposi- 
tion, or  less  eager  in  their  malice,  as  his  miracles  became 
more  extraordinary,  they  gave  themselves  up  to  an  enmity 
more  determined  than  before,  and  more  scandalous  in  its 
methods.  They  could  not  deny  that  his  deeds  were  marvel- 
ous ;  they,  therefore,  in  the  face  of  all  gracious  and  cumula- 
tive evidence,  resorted  to  a  denial  of  their  righteousness. 
Instead  of  attributing  his  healings  and  casting  oat  of  demons 
to  the  Spirit  of  God,  whose  marks  were  suflGlciently  apparent 
in  all  these  great  mercies,  they  charged  that  these  wonderful 
deeds  were  the  direct  result  of  Satanic  operations .  "He  huth 
a  devil,  and  is  mad,"  the  cry  which  was  heard  later  in  Jeru- 


112 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


salem,  was  only  an  echo  of  the  infamous  charge  which  was 
made  against  him  at  this  time.  Secretly  at  first,  and  then 
more  openly,  the  Pharisees  declared  that  he  was  a  possessed 
man,  and  that  he  was  able  to  do  great  works  simply  because 
there  dwelt  within  him  a  strong  devil ;  and,  in  order  to  cover 
all  possible  cases  in  which  he  might  exhibit  miraculous  skill 
and  power,  they  gave  him  credit  for  being  inhabited  by  no 
less  a  spirit  than  Beelzebub,  the  prince  of  the  devils.  If 
they  could  succeed  in  convincing  the  people  that  the  mighty 
and  terrible  Beelzebub  dwelt  in  Jesus,  and  that  he  was  there- 
fore simply  an  extraordinary  demoniac,  powerful  because  in 
league  with  the  whole  dreadful  realm  of  wicked  spirits,  he 
would  be  looked  upon  wherever  he  went  with  distrust,  or 
dread,  or  loathing. 

A  crisis,  resulting  from  this  sinister  accusation  of  the  Phari- 
sees, came  one  day  in  connection  with  the  healing  of  a 
demonized  man  who  was  both  blind  and  dumb.  The  multi- 
tudes were  amazed  at  the  miracle  and,  ready  to  believe  that 
such  a  miracle-worker  must  be  the  Messiah,  said,  "  Is  this  the 
son  of  David  ?  "  The  tide  tor  the  moment  was  setting  with 
overwhelming  force  against  the  pbarisaio  opinion.  In  their 
enthusiasm,  because  of  the  good  deed  done  to  the  blind  and 
dumb  man,  the  people  were  forgetting  the  damaging  rumors 
which  had  reached  their  ears.  The  Pharisees,  seeing  and 
being  exasperated  by  all  this,  replied  irritably,  "This  man 
doth  not  cast  out  devils  but  by  Beelzebub,  the  prince  of  the 
devils."  Jesus  instantly  made  reply  to  this  charge,  though 
not  in  his  own  defense  nor  for  the  sake  of  his  accusers,  but 
in  order  that  the  multitudes,  who  were  in  danger  of  being 
deceived  by  the  cunning  lie,  might  know  ihe  truth  and  be 
saved  from  the  awful  condemnation  into  which  the  Pharisees 
had  plunged.  "If  Satan  casteth  out  Satan,"  he  answered, 
"he  is  divided  against  himself;  how  then  can  his  kingdom 
stand?"  This  argument  appealed  instantly  to  the  people. 
They  had  seen  poor,  troubled  souls,  who  had  been  in  bondage 


A  CRISIS  IX  THE  GALILEAN  MINISTBY.       113 


long  through  dcmonioo  possession,  set  free  at  a  word  from 
Jesus.  Such  deeds  they  cuuld  not  but  deem  righteous,  and 
therefore  they  were  constrained  to  believe  that  he  who  did 
tiiem  was  righteous  also.  Beholding  the  good  fruit  they 
called  the  tree  good.  As  soon,  therefore,  m  he  stated  his 
argument  they  gave  him  their  sympathies  anew.  How  could 
they  decide  against  the  accused  when  they  saw  that  the  accu- 
sation was  absurd  ? 

An  Eternal  Sin. — Having  delivered  an  argument  for  the 
help  of  the  common  people,  Jesus  turned  upon  the  Phari- 
sees with  a  8</lemn  and  terrible  declaration.  The  audacity  of 
their  charge  had  revealed  the  inveterate  wickedness  of  their 
hearts.  While  they  resisted  his  teachings,  or  even  while 
they  sought  his  death,  there  was  still  grace  for  them,  and  the 
Judgment  unto  eternal  condemnation  was  withheld ;  but  when 
liaving  seen  works  done  by  the  Spirit  of  God  they  attributed 
these  to  Satan,  their  choice  of  wickedness  was  final,  and  the 
consequences  could  not  be  turned  aside.  It  was  as  if  they 
had  looked  into  the  face  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  said,  **Thod 
art  a  devil "  ;  therefore  they  had  commited  blasphemy  against 
him  and  were  "guilty  of  an  eternal  sin."  Swept  on  by  an 
envious  and  implacable  resentment,  they  not  only  had  refused 
to  enter  the  kingdom  and  hindered  others,  but  deliberately, 
in  the  light  of  overwhelming  evidence,  they  had  called  that 
work  devilish  which  they  knew  to  be  righteous.  "Therefore 
I  say  unto  you,"  Jesus  added,  "every  sin  and  blasphemy 
shall  be  forgiven  unto  men  ;  but  the  blasphemy  ngainst  the 
Spirit  shall  not  be  forgiven.  And  whosoever  shall  speak  a 
word  against  the  Son  of  Man,  it  shall  be  forgiven  him  ;  but 
whosoever  shall  speak  against  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  shall  not  be 
forgiven  him,  neither  in  this  world  nor  in  that  which  is  to 
come."  They  had  crucified  conscience.  They  had  torn  out 
the  eyes  of  their  moral  nature.  Therefore  they  were  guilty 
of  an  eternal  sin,  and  there  remained  to  them  the  blackness 
of  darkness  forever. 


114 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


A  Sign  Asked— It  is  surprising  to  find  the  scribes  and 
Phiirisces,  immediately  after  some  of  their  number  had  mndo 
tliis  accusation  against  Jesus,  coming  to  him  with  the  request : 
"Master,  we  would  see  a  sign  from  thee."  Of  what  use 
would  a  sign  be,  since  they  believed  that  his  mighty  works 
were  due  to  demoniacal  possession  ?  But  wickedness  is  rarely 
consistent,  and  those  who  oppose  Jesus  are  often  most  ridicu- 
lous when  they  think  themselves  most  cunning. 

The  answer  of  Jesus  was  severe.  He  declared  that  thoy 
were  not  seeking  a  sign  because  they  desired  cvidcice,  but 
because  they  lusted  ailer  the  marvelous.  H4  refused  what 
they  asked,  but  proiuised  at  a  later  day  a  greater  marvel  than 
any  they  had  yet  seen.  *'  As  Jonah  was  three  days  and  three 
nights  in  the  belly  of  the  whale,  so  shall  the  Son  of  man  bo 
three  days  and  three  nights  in  the  heart  of  the  earth."  It 
was  the  second  time  he  had  foretold  his  resurrection,  and  on 
each  occasion  the  pred»f;t!  jn  had  been  called  forth  by  enemies. 

Jesus  was  oppressed  on  this  day  by  the  stubbornness  with 
which  the  Pharisees  resiftted  evidence  ;  and,  after  making  the 
prediction  of  his  resurrection,  he  continued  his  rebukes.  He 
warned  those  who  were  hostile  to  him  that  the  Ninevites, 
who  repented  at  the  preaching  of  Jonah,  and  the  queen  of 
Sheba,  who  came  far  to  hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon,  would 
rise  up  in  judgment  against  them,  because  these  Gentiles 
yielded  to  evidence  when  it  was  presented  ;  while  they,  the 
men  of  Jiis  generation,  descendants  of  A''  iham,  though  in 
the  presence  of  a  greai  ,  than  Jonah  or  ^'j-i.-i'^i*  'i  '•efused  ^'^ 
be  convinced.  Their  opportunity  had  c  nnv  i"i  c  truth  was 
before  them.  Their  rejection  of  it  must  lead  to  disaster ;  and 
the  last  state  of  their  nation  would  be  worse  than  the  first. 

His  Mother  Rebnked. — The  rumor  that  Jesus  was  insane 

ving  reached  Mary,  she  came  with  his  brothers  to  take  him 
h.:\v,  hoping,  doubtless,  that  quiet  and  care  might  restore 
him  to  health  :  'And  when  his  friends  heard  it,  they  went 
Ottt  x  lay  hold  on  him ;  for  they  said,  He.  is  beside  himself." 


A  CKISWIN   THE  GALILEAN   MINISTRY.      115 


When  tlicy  renched  Ciipernamn,  tindiii^  him  Hurroun  led  l>y  a 
tuultitudo,  they  sent  lor  him  to  come  out  to  thorn.  Those 
^ho  were  Hitting  near  liim  said,  ''Behold  thy  mother  and 
thy  hrethren  without  seek  thee. ' '  That  hio  w  jthcr  should  »o 
far  yield  to  the  i'ulso  opinions  of  the  Pharisees  as  to  bcliovu 
him  mad,  and  that  there  should  still  remain  in  her  mind  the 
thought  that  phe  Imd  a  right  to  oxcrciso  authority  over  his 
actions,  grieved  him  ;  and  therefore  to  the  gentle  lesson  given 
her  at  the  marriage  in  Cana,  ho  at  this  time  added  another, 
the  meaning  of  which  it  was  not  posHihle  i'^v  her  to  misunder- 
stand :  *'  Looking  round  on  them  which  sar  round  about  him, 
ho  saith,  Behold  my  mother  and  my  breti  en  I  For  whoso- 
ever shall  do  the  will  of  God,  the  same  iis  my  brother,  and 
sister,  and  mother."  This  clear  statement  tf  the  principle 
of  spiritual  kinship  was  never  forgotten.  Tl.Teafter,  Mary, 
instead  of  attempting  to  exercise  tho  authorii  v  of  a  mother, 
rejoiced  to  claim  the  privileges  of  a  disciple. 

Rblatkd  Scripturk— Matt  12:  22-50;  Mark  3  19-86;  ^uko 
8:1-3;  11  :  14-36;  8:  19-21. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  the  first  preaching  tour  in  Galilee.  2.  Who  ac- 
companied Jesus  on  tho  first  tour?  8.  Who  accom  lunied  him 
on  the  second?  4.  Recall  all  you  know  of  Mary  Mag  lalene.  5. 
Recall  the  story  of  the  healing  of  the  nobleman's  soi  .  6.  How 
tlid  the  Pharisees  explain  Jesus'  miraculous  power?  7.  What 
miracle  led  them  to  make  this  charge  openly?  8.  B\  what  ar- 
gument did  Jesus  reply  to  their  charge?  9.  Of  what  id  he  de- 
clare them  guilty?  10.  Discover,  from  the  answer  of  Jesus,  why 
tho  scribes  and  Pharisees  asked  a  sign.  11.  What  sign  did  he 
promise?  12.  On  what  occasion  did  he  first  predict  his  resur- 
rection? 13.  Why  did  Mary  come  to  take  Jesus  hoiio?  14. 
What  is  the  meaning  of  his  answer  to  her  message? 

ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lessons  XVI-XX. 

40.  First  Preachin;.  Tour  in  Galileo. 

41.  The  Paralytic  Borne  of  Four. 


It  • 


116 


.«>..-;■•;>,'«!  ■ 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


42.  The  Call  of  Matthew.  ' 

48.  The  Impotent  Man  at  the  Pool  of  Bethesda. 

44.  The  Disciples  Plucking  Grain. 

45.  The  Man  with  the  Withered  Hand. 

46.  The  Choosing  of  the  Twelve. 

47.  The  Sermon  on  the  Mount.     „      '         i 
4«.  The  Centurion's  Servant. 

49.  The  Raising  of  the  Young  Man  of  Nain. 
60.  John  the  Baptist's  Last  Message. 

51.  The  Anointing  of  Jesus  in  the  House  of  Simon  the  Pharisee. 

62.  Second  Preaching  Tour  in  Galilee. 

63.  Jesus  Declared  to  bo  Demonized. 

64.  "  An  Eternal  Sin." 

65.  A  Sign  Asked. 

66.  His  Mother  KeT)uked:  The  True  Kindred  of  Christ. 


NoTK— Locate  each  of  these  "  Events"  in  the  Gospels, 
mit  the  "Order  of  Events"  to  memory. 


Com- 


-.■:../:.:. 


XXI. 


THE  FIRST  PARABLES. 

The  Purpose  of  Jesus'  Parables  —Jesus  did  not  use  the 

parable  in  his  teaching  until  after  tiie  Pharisees  had  charged 
him  with  being  a  possessed  man  ;  but  from  that  day  parables 
were  used  constantly,  partly,  we  may  believe,  for  his  own 
protection,  and  partly  for  the  more  eflFective  instruction  of  his 
disciples.  The  Pharisees  scrutinized  all  his  utterances  with 
the  hope  of  finding  in  them  some  new  occasion  for  accusing 
him  of  something  which  they  could  use  for  turning  the  com- 
mon people  against  him.  This  being  their  attitude,  the  para- 
bolic form  of  teaching  was  safer  for  Jesus  than  any  other, 
there  being  enough  of  ambiguity  in  a  parable,  as  studied  by 
their  unspiritual  minds,  to  present  obstacles  to  their  sinister 
purpose ;  for  to  fasten  a  serious  charge  upon  a  figure  of  speech 
would  not  be  easy.  At  the  same  time  this  ambiguity,  which 
was  necessary  to  hinder  their  malevolent  purposes,  hid  the 
truth  from  their  minds — the  blessing  of  light  being  lost  to 
them  because  of  their  willful  self-blinding.  v  >y;  ; 

To  the  disciples,  however,  the  parable  was  singularly  help- 
ful. A  picture  is  better  remembered  than  a  precept ;  a  story 
is  more  luminous  to  the  ordinary  mind  than  a  syllogism,  and 
these  parables,  graphic,  simple,  ingenious,  and  in  their  reality 
appealing  to  the  every-day  incidents  and  motives  of  life,  take 
quick  possession  of  the  memory  and  imagination,  and  guide 
the  heart  into  the  truth.  ■  -'  -    <  '» 

Teaching  from  a  Boat  — ^The  day  on  which  Jesus  called  the 
four  from  their  nets  in  order  that  he  might  make  them  fishers 
of  men,  he  sat  in  a  boot  and  spoke  to  the  people  as  they  stood 
upon  the  sliorc.     His  first  parables  were  uttered  under  similar 

117 


118 


TiiK  LiFJis  OF  J  Earn, 


uonditiunt).  Multitudes  wuru  pruMHiiiK  upuii  him,  cuuHiiiKhim 
disuumturb  and  making  touoliing  diiliuult.  \\y  uiitoriitg  iuto 
a  boat  and  {tushiii^,'  uil  a  uhort  diMtancu  IVoiu  tlio  bhuro,  ho 
obtained  ruliuf  iVuiu  tito  pruMining,  eager,  exeited  tiirong,  and 
at  the  8t\mu  time  neeured  a  pu.siiiun  IVom  whieh  lie  euuld  make 

all  hear. 

Tile  hour  and  the  plaoo  were  favorable  for  the  beginning  of 
the  parabolic  teaching.  The  seu,  a  place  for  netH  and  com- 
lueree,  and  the  fields,  where  the  sower  had  cast  in  the  seed 
and  where  there  wore  suggestions  of  the  conditions  and 
changes  wrouijht  by  growth,  were  at  hand.  The  common 
people  to  whou»  ho  spoke,  and  whom  his  teaching  was  in- 
tended to  bless,  know  the  fields  and  the  sea  perhajjs  bettor 
than  they  knew  the  history  of  their  fathers ;  and  while,  be- 
cause of  foolish  rabbinic  interpretations,  citations  from  the 
Scriptures  were  liable  to  drag  Ibrward  a  mass  of  blinding 
priyudiocs,  no  such  danger  beset  illustrations  from  tho  wheat, 
the  tares,  tho  leaven,  or  the  net. 

The  First  Five  Parables  —On  this  day  iJomn  spoke  eight 
parables.  Seven  of  these  aro  recorded  by  Matthew  in  his 
thirteenth  chapter — The  Sower,'rhe  Tares,  Tho  Mustard  Seed, 
The  Leaven,  Tho  Hid  Treasure,  The  Pearl  of  Great  Price, 
and  the  Draw  Net.  Mark  supplies  tho  other  in  his  fourth 
chaptei^— Tiio  Growth  of  tho  Seed.  Five  of  these  parables 
wore  spoken  to  tho  multitudes  while  Jesus  was  in  the  boat, 
tho  other  three  were  spoken  to  the  disciples  after  he  had  gone 
with  them  into  the  house. 

1.  By  tho  parable  of  The  Sower  Jesus  showed  that  tho 
varying  effects  of  his  teaching  were  duo  to  the  soil  and  not  to 
tho  sower  or  the  seed.  The  hand  of  the  sower  was  unchange- 
ably strong  and  apt ;  the  seed  too  contained  always  possibili- 
ties of  glorious  harvests ;  but  because  of  hardnesses  and  an- 
tagonisms the  harvest  might  fail  to  appear. 

Josus  spoke  of  three  grades  of  good  soil  and  of  three  kinds 
of  bad  soil.     Some  good  soil  yielded  one  hundred  fold,  other 


TIIK  PIIWT  PAIIAULKS. 


no 


Nijcly,  and  ulhcr  tliiity.  Oi'  the  bud  Koil,  buiuo  wivh  iiard, 
utliur  thin,  and  utliur  pruoccupiud.  liy  tlicHc  li^nreH  lie  was 
describing  ItiH  huureiH.  Tbusu  whu  woru  becoming  disciplcM 
would  vary  in  Hpiritual  utlainiuentH  and  acliicvenionlH,  while 
ut  thuHO  witu  wuuld  not  comu  to  him  that  they  might  havu 
life,  Bumu  wcio  unret^ponHivu  bccauKu  lliu  uvil  condition  of 
thuir  heartH,  hardened  by  unbehet',  Ivept  Satan  liovering  near, 
wiio  Nnatehed  awiiy  their  opportunities  ;  otherH  oi^piiek  emo* 
tioiiM  but  blow  eonneieneeH  gave  ready  heed  while  JeHus  Hpoke, 
but  ibrsook  him  when  op[)oMition  arose  or  their  emotiouH  Hub- 
Hlded  ;  and  others,  who  heard  uonseientiouHly  and  received 
enough  oi'  truth  to  save  them,  had  conditions  been  tavorablo, 
being  unwilling  to  cast  the  world  out  oi*  their  hearts,  h^st  at 
length  even  the  o]>portuni(y  of  eternal  lil'e  which  had  been 
given  them.  ' 

2.  IJy  the  parable  of  The  Tares  Jesus  explained  two  mys- 
teries— the  mystery  of  the  malignant  opposition  which  h'm 
kingdom  was  meeting,  and  the  mystery  of  delayed  judgments. 
Besides  llie  hindrance  of  evil  hearts,  there  was  the  cunning 
resistance  of  a  groat  evil  spirit.  The  Son  of  Man,  scattered 
wheat  by  day  ;  iSatan  scattered  tares  by  night ;  therefore,  the 
Jewish  field  was  occupied  by  both  wheat  and  tares.  Hecauso 
Satan  liad  deceived  the  scribes  and  TMiarisoes,  mixing  error 
with  truth,  evil  was  crowding  constantly  and  dreadfully  upon 
good,  imperiling  the  souls  which  Ood  would  save.  Were  any 
suri)rised  that  he  did  not,  by  a  swift  Judgment,  destroy  the.se 
hinderers?  Tie  teaches  them  that  the  immediate  destruction 
of  the  oifenders,  thougli  it  would  be  no  more  than  a. just  pen- 
alty, would  endanger  those  whom  he  was  making  his  own. 
Meanwhile,  for  the  warning  of  the  malignant  and  the  infor- 
mation of  the  meek,  he  shows  that  though  judgtnent  is  de- 
layed, it  is  sure  ;  for  a  day  is  apjiroaching  when  he  shall  say 
to  the  reapers  :  "Gather  up  first  the  tares,  and  bind  them  in 
bundles  to  burn  them  ;  but  gather  the  wheat  into  my  barn." 

3.  By  the  parable  of  The  Growth  of  tlie  Seed  ho  taught 


120 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


a  lesson  of  hope.  They  might  become  disheartened  in  the 
presence  of  such  hindrances  as  he  had  pointed  out  in  the 
other  parables,  especially  since  the  growth  of  the  kingdom 
was  slow.  He  therefore  bids  them  remember  that  he  who 
casts  seed  into  the  ground  sleeps  and  rises  many  times  before 
he  sees  any  result  from  his  sowing,  and  that,  even  when  re- 
sults appear,  *'he  knoweth  not  how"  the  growth  is  com- 
pelled. So  there  is  a  secret  growth  of  the  kingdom,  with  its 
unobserved  beginnings,  its  modest  progress,  its  ample  promise 
and,  at  the  last,  its  joyful  harvest.  His  enemies  need  not 
moek  when  his  disciples  are  few,  nor  need  his  disciples  despair 
because  the  harvest  is  distant.  Divine  forces  are  working  and 
the  harvest  cannot  fail.     I.'-  5^"'";/T  *;  •  ^<>,v-:  :?r'^  ^j.--. .v,^,:i«^^„.*;:^•t^«: 

4.  By  the  parable  of  The  Mustard  Seed  Jesus  showed  that 
the  results  of  his  work  among  men  would  be  vast  as  well  as 
sure.  Was  his  kingdom,  in  this  day  of  few  disciples  and 
bitter  enemies,  so  small  that  the  proverb  of  tlie  mustard  seed 
might  be  applied  to  it?  Be  it  so.  He  would  accept  the 
challenge.  But  they  must  follow  the  seed  into  the  plant, 
which  in  its  growth  passes  every  herb  and  shrub  in  the  gar- 
den, and  at  length  puts  out  branches  like  a  tree  ;  so  his  king- 
dom, smaller  than  the  sects  among  the  Jewish  people,  shall 
grow  until  it  is  greater  than  any  plant  in  the  Hebrew  garden, 
and,  standing  in  solitary  and  majestic  greatness,  with  wide- 
spreading  branches,  shall  invite  to  shelter  all  creatures  that 
fear  the  storm  or  long  for  a  resting  place. 

5.  By  the  parable  of  The  Leaven  Jesus  taught  that  his 
kingdom  would  permeate  the  society  which  seemed  unfriendly 
to  it,  and,  by  its  conquering  influences,  change  into  a  new 
nature  that  upon  which  it  wrought.  There  shall  be  great 
growth,  he  says,  as  in  the  case  of  the  mustard  seed  ;  but  there 
shall  be  great  mistery  also;  for  as  a  little  leaven  changes  to 
its  own  nature  a  mass  of  meal,  so  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
shall  transform  the  human  society  in  which  it  is  placed. 

The  Three  Parables  in  the  House.— When  Jesus  had  Icfl 


TliE  FIR3T  PARABLES. 


121 


the  multitude  and,  with  his  disciples,  retired  to  the  privacy 
of  the  house,  he  addressed  to  them  further  teachings.  Hav- 
ing explained  some  of  the  more  obscure  figures  in  the  other 
parables,  he  adds  the  parables  of  'J'he  Hid  Treasure,  The 
Pearl  of  Great  Price,  and  The  Draw  Net.  By  the  first  and 
second  of  these  he  teaches  them  the  reasonableness  of  leaving 
all  the  world  for  the  sake  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  thus  as- 
suring their  hearts  in  the  choice  they  had  made,  and  teaching 
them  that  the  hid  treasure  and  pearl  of  great  price  were  in 
their  possession.  Having  cheered,  he  warns.  The  gospel 
will  prove  attractive  outwardly  to  some  who  will  not  receive 
inwardly  its  cleansing  message.  These,  though  apparently 
drawn  in  by  the  net,  shall  be  cast  out ;  and  when  at  last  the 
delayed  judgment  is  executed,  there  will  be  weeping  and 
gnashing  of  teeth.  - 

The  Conclusion.— Although  when  he  began  to  speak  in 
parables  that  day  the  disciples  were  perplexed,  not  under- 
standing the  reason  for  his  change  of  method  ;  and  although 
they  needed  to  have  him  explain  the  first  two  parables ;  yet, 
as  soon  as  they  understood  his  purpose  and  the  trend  of  his 
new  teaching,  the  lessons  of  the  liour  became  clear  to  their 
minds  and  captivated  their  hearts ;  and,  therefore,  when  he 
said  to  them,  "  Have  ye  understood  all  these  things? "  they 
say  unto  him,  "Yea." 


Rklatkd  Scripture.— MiVtt.  13 
8 :  4-18. 


1-63;  Mark  4:  1-34;  Luke 


QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Why  did  Jesus  begin  to  speak  in  parables?  2.  How  many 
parables  did  he  speak  on  this  day?  3.  In  what  chnpter  are 
seven  of  these  recorded?  4.  Where  was  Jesus  sitting  while 
speaking  the  first  five  of  these  eight  parables?  5.  Where,  and 
to  whom,  did  he  speak  the  last  three  ?  6.  Tell  the  story  of  each 
of  the  eight.  7  What  parables  did  Jesus  explain  that  day  ?  8. 
To  whom  did  he  address  the  explanations? 


■  f    •: 


XXII. 


A  DAY  OF  MIRACLES. 

The  Stilling  of  the  Tempest.— After  the  day  of  parables 
Jesus  sought  rest  ar»d  quiet  by  making  a  journey  to  the  east 
side  of  the  lake.  But  neither  on  the  lake  nor  on  the  land  did 
he  find  the  rest  which  his  weary  body  and  mind  needed.  As 
the  little  boat  made  its  way  eastward,  a.  furious  storm  swept 
down  out  of  the  mountain  gorges  and  fretted  the  waters  until 
the  waves  broke  over  the  boat  and  threatened  death  to  the 
company.  While  the  disciples  struggled  for  their  lives, 
Jesus  was  lying  on  the  cushion  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  sleep- 
ing the  sleep  of  utter  exhaustion .  At  their  wits'  end  at  length, 
and  terrified  beyond  measure,  they  woke  him,  crying, 
"  Master,  Master,  save,  we  perish  I  "  Waking,  he  spoke  to 
the  raging  tempest  and  foaming  waters,  and  instantly  tlie 
winds  were  still  and  the  lake  smooth.  He  whose  strength 
had  been  so  far  spent  that  he  slept  through  all  the  noise  of 
the  roaring  storm  and  dashing  waves,  shows  at  once  the  might 
of  God.  Turning  to  the  disciples,  he  asked,  "  Why  are  ye  so 
fearful?  Have  ye  not  yet  faith?"  Their  unbelief  needed 
rebuke  as  surely  as  the  rioting  elements.  Surprised  at  his 
mastery  over  the  storm,  "they  feared  exceedingly,  and  said 
one  to  another.  Who  then  is  this,  that  even  the  wind  and  the 
sea  obey  him?" 

The  Demoniac  of  Gerasa— As  the  little  party  landed  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  the  lake,  two  wild  men  came  toward  them. 
One  of  these  was  conspicuous  because  of  his  unequalled  mad- 
ness and  ferocity.  His  was  not  a  case  of  ordinary  mania,  but 
of  terrible  demoniac  possession.  "  My  name  is  Legion,  for  we 
are  many,"  was  tlK*  confused  answer  given  when  Jesus  asked 
122 


A  DAY  OP  MIRACLE.". 


123 


the  man  his  name.  The  mixture  in  his  answer  of  the  singuhir 
and  plural  of  the  first  personal  pronoun  shows  how  this 
human  spirit  was  confused  in  its  identity  with  the  evil  spirits 
which  inhabited  the  man.  During  all  his  ministry  no  such 
manifestation  of  demoniac  possession  met  Jesus  as  that  of 
this  wild,  fierce  creature.  Naked,  beastlike,  and  covered 
with  sores,  which  ho  had  made  by  cutting  himself  with  sharp 
stones,  he  was  a  figure  both  shocking  and  pitiable.  Although 
attempts  had  been  made  to  hold  him  with  chains  and  fetters, 
and  to  control  him  by  guards,  his  extraordinary  and  unnatural 
strength  had  enabled  him  to  snap  the  fetters  asunder  and  to 
overpower  thope  who  had  been  set  to  watch  him.  Fortunately, 
his  preference  for  solitary  places  had  freed  the  city  from  his 
frightful  presence,  but  such  were  his  wolfish  and  murderous 
tendencies  that  no  one  dared  pass  near  his  haunts. 

When  this  demoniac  saw  Jesus  landing,  he  was  drawn 
irresistibly  toward  hini,  although  the  presence  of  Jesus  filled 
him  with  unutterable  dread  and  dislike.  "Torment  me  not ! " 
he  cried,  when  Jesus  bade  the  evil  spirits  come  out  of  the  man. 
Thev  were  tormented  when  hindered  from  tormenting  others  ; 
and  in  order  that,  if  sent  out  of  this  man,  they  might  not  be 
compelled  to  leave  the  country  and  return  to  the  abyss,  they 
begged  permission  to  find  residence  in  a  herd  of  swine  which 
was  feeding  not  fur  away.  When  Jesus  said,  "Go!"  they 
fled  from  the  man  and  seized  the  swine,  which,  maddened  on 
the  instant,  rushed  wildly  down  the  steep  lakeside  and,  plung- 
ing into  the  water,  were  drowned. 

The  swine  were  lost,  but  the  man  was  saved.  His  cure  was 
complete  and  instantaneous,  and  clothes  were  put  upon  him 
immediately.  Sane,  grateful,  afiijctionate,  he  sat  at  the  feet  of 
his  Deliverer.  Here  he  was  found  by  the  Gerasenes,  who  came 
hurrying  forth  when  they  heard  the  excited  report  of  the 
swineherds,  who  had  fled  in  terror  when  they  saw  the  miracle 
of  Jesus  and  the  destruction  of  their  charge.  When  the 
Gerasenes  saw  the  man  at  Jesus'  feet,  though  they  could  not 


124 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESHS. 


doubt  the  healing,  they  feared  the  healer  ;  and  because  they 
were  more  superstitious  than  religious,  and  more  terrified  by 
the  supernatural  than  attracted  by  the  holy,  they  begged  him 
to  leave  their  neighborhood.  The  presence  of  the  demoniac, 
terrible  as  it  was,  they  had  eudured  ;  the  presence  of  Jesus 
they  were  not  willing  to  endure.  Their  prayer  was  granted. 
He  at  whose  word  the  tempest  was  stilled  and  a  legion  of 
demons  put  to  flight,  suffered  himself  to  be  thrust  out  by  the 
unbelief  and  impiety  of  the  men  of  Gerasa. 

As  Jesus  went  to  the  boat  the  healed  demoniac  followed, 
and  begged  that  lie  might  return  with  him.  But  this  propo- 
sition did  not  accord  with  the  purposes  of  Jesus.  The  con- 
duct of  the  Qerasenes  had  shown  that  they  were  not  prepared 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  this  healed  man  must  become 
among  them  the  forerunner  of  the  Messiah.  "  Return  to  thy 
house,"  Jesus  commanded,  *'and  declare  how  great  things 
God  hath  done  for  thee. "  The  man  obeyed.  ''And  he  went 
his  way,  publishing  throughout  the  whole  city  how  great 
things  Jesua  had  done  for  them."  Months  later  Jesus  would 
return  to  this  country,  and  then  he  would  not  be  thrust  out, 
but  would  find  many  ready  to  believe  on  him  because  of  the 
testimony  of  this  healed  demoniac.         *•.'/;  ^    ;       / 

The  Woman  with  an  Issne  of  Blood.— If  on  the  cast  side 
of  the  lake  a  multitude  begged  him  to  depart,  on  the  west  side 
a  greater  multitude  gladly  welcomed  his  return.  Among  the 
crowd  that  gathered  about  him  as  he  drew  near  to  Caper- 
naum, Jairus  came,  a  ruler  of  the  synagogue  ;  "and  he  fell 
down  at  Jesus'  feet  and  besought  him  to  come  to  his  house." 
His  plea  was  urgent,  because  his  only  di.agliter,  a  girl  of 
twelve  years,  was  dying.  The  sympathies  of  Jesus  were 
touched,  and  he  proceeded  toward  Jairus'  house. 

As  he  walked,  the  throng  followed,  crowding  and  jostling 
him  in  their  eager  enthusiasm.  Suddenly  he  stopped.  The 
crowd  stopped  too.  "Who  is  it  that  touched  me?"  he 
asked,  though  probably  scores  had  been  pressed  against  him 


A  DAY  OP  MIRACLES. 


125 


as  they  sought  to  be  as  near  him  as  possible.  Every  one  began 
to  say,  "Not  I."  Tlien  Peter,  and  others,  recovering  fioin 
their  surprise  at  the  suddenness  of  the  question,  said:  "  Mas- 
ter, the  multitudes  press  thee  and  crush  thee ;  and  sayest 
thou.  Who  touched  me?"  Jesus  replied,  "Some  one  did 
touch  mo ;  for  I  perceived  that  power  had  gone  forth  from 
Those  who  had  jostled  against  him  had  acted  upon 


me, 


their  curiosity  only,  and  had  obtained  no  blessing ;  but  one, 
a  woman,  a  sufferer  for  twelve  years,  moved  by  faith,  had 
touched  his  garment,  believing  that  she  could  be  healed 
thereby ;  and  according  to  her  faith  it  was  done  unto  her.     ..vi 

The  Baising  of  Jairus'  Daughter.— While  the  woman 
was  hearing  a  gracious  message  from  the  lips  of  Jesus,  a 
message  of  unutterable  sadness  was  brought  to  Jairus :  "Thy 
daughter  is  dead,"  said  the  messenger;  "trouble  not  tho 
Master. ' '  But  before  Jairus  had  time  to  feel  the  agony  which 
such  tidings  would  cause,  Jesus  turned  to  him  and  said, 
"Fear  not,  only  believe,  and  she  shall  be  made  whole." 
They  went  on  to  the  house,  which  they  found  full  of  the 
noise  of  those  who  were  weeping  and  wailing  because  of  tho 
child's  death.  "  Weep  not,"  he  said  ;  "for  she  is  not  dead, 
bat  sleepeth."  At  this  they  stopped  their  wails  to  laugh  in 
his  face,  for  they  knew  that  she  was  dead.  Then,  taking  the 
girl's  father  and  mother,  and  his  three  favorite  disciples, 
Peter,  James,  and  John,  he  went  into  the  chamber  where  the 
dead  girl  lay,  and  lifting  up  one  of  the  lifeless  hands,  said, 
TaUthacumi,  that  is,  "Maiden,  arise,"  and  at  his  command 
she  arose  and  walked.  Confused  by  their  great  joy,  the  pa- 
rents did  not  remember  that  their  child  needed  food.  Of 
this  he  reminded  them,  and  then  bade  them  keep  the  miracle 
a  secret,  probably  dreading  the  discomfort  and  inconvenience 
which  would  be  caused  him  if,  as  he  went  out,  the  multitude 
knew  what  had  happened  within  the  house. 

Sight  Bestored  to  two  Blind  Men. — As  Jesus  was  on  his 
way  from  the  house  of  Jairus  to  the  house  where  he  stayed 


126 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


while  in  Capernaum,  a  cry  was  heard  in  the  street :  "  Have 
mercy  upon  us,  thou  Son  of  David. ' '  And  two  blind  men  came 
groping  and  hurrying  after  him,  eager  to  have  their  sight  re- 
stored. As  Jesus  neither  paused  nor  replied,  they  followed 
him  to  the  house  and  renewed  their  supplication.  "Believe 
ye  that  I  am  able  to  do  this?"  he  asked.  "Yea,  Lord," 
they  answered.  "According  to  your  faith  be  it  done  unto 
you,"  was  his  reply.  And  their  eyes  were  opened  at  once. 
"  See  that  no  man  know  it,"  he  commanded  ;  but  their  glad- 
ness made  them  disobedient,  and  they  went  forth  telliug  of 
the  miracle  everywhere. 

This  was  the  first  recorded  miracle  of  giving  sight  to  the 
blind.  Several  others  occurred  afterward.  These  sight-giv- 
ing signs  were  valued  highly  by  his  disciples  as  evidences  of 
his  Messiahship. 

The  Healing  of  the  Dumb  Demoniac— As  the  two  who 
had  been  healed  of  their  blindness  vt^  c  leaving  the  house, 
others  were  entering,  bearing  "  a  dumb  man  possessed  with 
a  devil."  The  demon  was  cast  out,  and  the  dumb  tongue 
was  set  free.  "It  was  never  so  seen  in  Israel,"  was  the 
wondering  comment  of  the  multitudes  that  witnessed  the 
miracle.  "  By  the  prince  of  the  devils  casteth  he  out  devils," 
muttered  some  of  the  Pharisees  who  were  present.  The  more 
the  sick  and  suflFerinp  found  blessing,  the  more  were  the  hearts 
of  his  enemies  filled  with  cursing. 

Related  Scripture.— Matt.  8  :  23-9  :  34 ;  Mark  4  :  35-5  :  43; 
Luke  8 :  22-56. 

QUESTIONS. 

1.  Name  the  eight  parables  which  Jesus  spoke  on  the  Day  of 
Parables.  2.  Namo  the  seven  miracles  which  he  performed  the 
next  day.  3.  In  which  of  these  did  he  show  his  authority  over 
nature?  Disease?  Demons?  4.  Which  of  these  miracles  con- 
tains most  help  for  you  ? 


.  I 


XXIII. 


43; 


THE  GALILEAN  MINISTRY  ENDED. 

The  Second  Rejection  at  Nazareth.— Before  entering 
upon  his  third  and  final  tour  of  Galilee,  Jesus  made  a  second 
visit  to  Nazareth.  Although  at  the  beginning  of  his  Galilean 
ministry  the  Nazarcncs,  in  their  furious  anger,  had  sought 
to  kill  him,  he  would  give  th«m  another  opportunity  to  secure 
the  blessing  which  then  in  their  pride  and  rage  they  had 
thrust  away.  For  about  a  year  reports  had  been  coming  to 
them  from  all  parts  of  Galilee  concerning  his  matchless  teach- 
ings and  wonderful  works,  and  knowing  that  he  was  in  the 
town,  they  doubtless  filled  the  synagogue  on  the  Sabbath 
morning,  that  they  might  hear  and  see  for  themselves. 

As  Jesus  spoke  they  felt  the  spell  of  his  eloquence,  and 
marvelled.  ''Is  not  this  the  carpenter's  son?"  they  said. 
Because  in  one  of  their  own  townsmen  they  had  found  unpre- 
cedented wisdom  and  inexplicable  powers,  they  were  irritated. 
"We  know  him,"  they  grumbled;  "we  know  his  mother; 
we  know  his  brothers ;  we  know  his  sisters. ' '  Being  both 
narrow  and  envious,  "they  were  offended  in  him."  Once 
they  had  been  deprived  of  blessings  by  their  rage  ;  now  they 
are  robbed  by  their  unbelief  No  mighty  work  was  done 
"  save  that  he  laid  his  hands  upon  a  few  sick  folk  and  healed 
them."  They,  when  they  heard  him  speak,  "  marvelled  be- 
cause of  his  wisdom"  ;  he,  as  he  heard  them  complain, 
"  marvelled  because  of  their  unbelief."  As  their  hands  had 
thrust  him  out  before,  ^o  now  their  hearts  cast  him  out ;  and 
he  lefl  the  town  never  to  return. 

The  Mission  of  the  Twelve.— After  Jesus'  first  rejection 
at  Nazareth,  he  called  the  four  and,  attended  by  them,  made 

107 


128 


THE   LIFE  OP  JE3U3. 


his  first  preaching  tour  of  Oaldcc.  After  his  second  rejection 
at  Nuzurctli,  he  entered  at  once  upon  hi,s  third  prcaciiing  tour. 
If  he  had  gone  to  Capernaum  from  Nazareth  at  this  time,  ho 
would  have  found  no  comfort  there,  for  his  "own  city  "  had 
become  even  more  hostile,  through  the  presence  in  it  of  his 
pharisaio  foes,  than  tho  city  where  ho  had  been  "brought 
up."  Dangers  were  thickening  in  his  path,  for  enmity  had 
become  impatient  and  murderous,  and  soon  every  city  of 
Galilee  would  have  heard  his  voice  for  the  last  time. 

Jesus  fuels  that  tho  time  has  come  for  hastening.  Ho  sees 
the  Jews  scattered  like  lost  sheep,  and  id  moved  with  com- 
passion. His  own  arduous  labors  are  insufficient  for  tiio 
exigencies  of  the  hour.  Other  voices  must  speak  his  mes- 
sage, that  the  circle  of  his  influence  may  widen  more  rapidly. 
Therefore  he  calls  to  him  the  twelve  and  sends  them  forth 
two  by  two,  with  authority  to  preach,  to  heal  tiio  sick,  to 
cleanse  lepers,  and  to  cast  out  demons. 

Before  they  depart  he  makes  an  address  to  them  which  is 
distinguished  for  its  force  and  solemnity.  He  bids  them  go 
to  Jews  only ;  they  have  not  time  now  to  reach  more  than 
these;  and  the  day  has  not  come  for  their  witnessing  "in 
Samaria  and  unto  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth."  Ho 
gives  them  directions  as  to  their  equipment  and  conduct. 
They  need  not  wait  to  gather  money  for  their  journey,  but 
may  go  forth  at  once,  relying  for  their  sustenance  upon  tha 
fields  which  they  are  to  cultivate.  As  he  is  speaking,  his  eye 
takes  in  a  wider  horizon  than  that  limiting  their  immediate 
duty ;  and  he  tells  them  of  the  work  and  perils  whicli  shall 
come  to  them  later.  They  shall  be  broucht  before  Jewish 
councils,  Koman  governors,  and  Herodian  princes.  Thsy  shall 
see  families  divided  and  kindred  slaying  kindred.  But  in  all 
the  trials  of  the  days  of  their  testimony  they  may  be  patient 
and  brave.  Let  them  flee  when  flight  will  save  them ;  let 
them  endure  calmly  when  insults  are  heaped  upon  them  ;  and 
when  their  bodies  are  killed,  let  them  not  fear,  remembering 


THE  GALILEAN  MINISTRY   ENDED. 


129 


■'If 


in 


that  the  Qod  who  cares  oven  fur  the  sparrows  will  save  their 
souls  iVom  deutli.  If  tliey  confess  him  before  iiieii,  he  will 
confess  tliciii  before  his  Father  in  heaven.  '*  'le  that  fiudeth 
his  life  shall  lose  it,  and  he  that  losetli  his  life  for  my  sake 
slullfindit." 

In  this  discourse,  Jesus  began  that  special  training  of  the 
twelve  by  which  they  should  be  prepared  to  continue  his  work 
after  his  withdrawal  from  them  into  heaven  Having  given 
them  their  charge  he  sent  them  away,  and  himself  began  to 
preach  in  the  cities  of  Galilee. 

The  Death  of  John  the  Baptiit.— While  Jesus  and  the 
twelve  were  hastening  the  work  of  the  kingdom,  John  the 
Baptist  was  spending  the  last  days  of  his  imprisonment  in 
the  fortress  of  Machserus,  the  victim  of  Herod's  fear  and 
Herodias'  spite.  13ut  h\A  Bufferings  were  near  their  end.  The 
woman  whom  he  had  ofl'euded  by  rebuking  for  her  adulter- 
ous and  incestuous  marriage  to  Herod  Antipas,  had  been 
waiting  for  many  months  to  find  an  opportunity  to  accom- 
plish his  death ;  and  the  occasion  now  came  in  con- 
nection with  a  feast  given  by  Herod.  When  other 
amusements  were  exhausted,  Herod  called  for  Salome, 
the  beautiful  j'oung  daughter  of  his  wife,  and  bade  her 
dance  before  him  and  his  guests.  Her  graceful,  shame- 
less dancing  delighted  the  half-drunken  company,  and  none 
was  more  enthusiastic  than  Herod  liiniself.  In  his  tipsy 
generosity,  he  promises  with  oaths  tliatshe  shall  have  anything 
she  asks,  unto  "the  half  of  his  kingdom." 

Instead  of  asking  for  jewels  or  a  new  slave,  Salome  said, 
"  I  will  that  thou  give  me  forthwith  the  head  of  John  the 
Baptist  in  a  charger,"  a  request  ini-tigated  by  her  mother,  to 
whom  she  had  gone  with  the  question,  "  What  shall  I  ask  ?  " 
It  was  not  the  wish  of  Herod  that  the  Baptist  should  be 
slain  ;  but,  having  given  his  oath,  he  would  rather  commit 
murder  than  discredit  himself  in  the  eyes  of  his  guests  by 
breaking  his  rash,  drunken  promise  ;  and  soon,  therefore,  the 


130 


THE   LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


bluudy  head  uf  John  the  Buptist  was  brought  to  the  gtr],  who 
in  turn  took  it  to  her  mother ;  and  Herodias,  if  tradition  may 
be  trusted,  ispat  upon  it,  and  mutilated  tlie  tongue  which  liad 
so  fearlessly  eondcnjncd  her  wickedness. 

Although  John  was  dead,  Herod's  conscience  was  alive ; 
and  when  he  learned  of  Jesus'  great  works  and  powers,  ho 
said :  "John  the  Baptist  is  risen  from  the  dead,  and  therefore 
do  these  powers  work  in  him  "  ;  and  when  others  said,  "  It  is 
Elijah,"  or  "It  is  a  prophet,  even  as  one  of  the  prophets," 
Herod,  stubborn  in  his  superstitious  fears,  declared  again, 
"John,  whom  I  beheaded,  ho  is  risen." 

Jeans  Seeks  Rest  and  Feeds  Five  Thousand.— When  the 
disciples  of  John  had  buried  the  headless  corpse  of  their 
master,  "  they  went  and  told  Jesus."  Already  worn  out  with 
the  fatigue  of  the  third  preaching  tour,  Jesus  found  these 
tidings  hard  to  bear.  Besides  the  grief  he  felt  at  the  death 
of  his  friend,  there  doubtless  came  to  him  a  vision  of  his  own 
approachidg  death.  Just  at  this  time,  as  it  would  appear, 
the  twelve  returned.  They  were  weary,  as  well  as  he  ;  and 
he  said  to  them,  "Come  ye  yourselves  apart  into  a  desert 
place,  and  rest  awhile."  Takirig  a  boat,  therefore,  they 
started  for  Bcthsaida  Julias,  intending  to  find  quiet  in  some 
unpopulated  region  near  that  city.  But  tliey  were  disap- 
pointed. The  multitudes  that  had  so  thronged  them  in  Ca- 
pernaum that  "they  had  no  leisure  so  much  as  to  eat  bread," 
followed  by  land.  Jesus,  when  he  saw  them  flocking  over 
the  country  side,  instead  of  feeling  impatient  at  their  trouble- 
some zeal,  pitied  them  with  a  great  pity.  They  were  like 
" sheep  not  having  a  shepherd  "  ;  and,  "he  began  to  teach 
them  many  things  "  ;  and  because  some  had  brought  their 
sick  with  them,  enduring  fatigue  that  these  might  secure 
a  blessing,  "he  healed  their  sick." 

The  multitudes  that  followed  Jesus,  having  brought  with 
them  no  provision  for  such  a  journey,  as  the  day  advanced 
became  hungry.     Jesus  was  the  first  to  think  of  their  need ; 


THE  GALILEAN    AIII^LSTUY   ENDED. 


131 


the  disciples  were  the  first  to  feel  anxiety  on  account  of  it. 
Their  own  store  of  food  consisted  of  five  barley  loaves  and 
two  small  fishes.  To  purchase  supplies  for  thu  five  thousand  was 
impossible.  What  should  they  do  ?  While  they  were  still  per- 
plexed, and  were  wishing  that  Jesus  would  send  the  multitude 
away  to  buy  food  for  themselves,  he  said  to  them,  '  Make 
the  people  sit  down."  The  command  was  obeyed,  and  soon 
upon  the  thick,  green  grass  tlie  mc^u  were  seated  to  the  num- 
ber of  five  thousand.  A  strange  scene  and  strange  prepara- 
tions for  a  feast !  The  guests  were  numerous  enough ;  the 
broad  earth  formed  an  ample  table  ;  the  twelve  could  serve  as 
waiters  ;  but  where  were  the  provisions?  Jesus  held  them  in 
his  hands,  five  loaves  and  two  little  fishes  1  ''But  what  are 
these  among  so  many  ? ' ' 

The  feast  was  begun  solemnly  with  the  giving  of  thanks. 
Then  Jesus,  breaking  the  bread  and  the  fishes,  handed  por- 
tions to  the  twelve  to  distribute  among  the  people.  They 
went  forth  with  these,  and  returned  for  new  supplies ;  sup- 
plied again,  they  went  among  the  people  once  more,  and 
again  returned.  There  is  more  for  them  always.  All  eat; 
all  are  filled.  And  when  the  feast  was  over,  from  the  frag- 
nients  that  remained  each  of  the  twelve  disciples  filled  his 
willow  basket. 

This  n)iracle  made  a  profound  impression  upon  the  people. 
Ordinarily,  when  tliey  had  seen  his  miracles,  as  in  the  cases  of 
healing  earlier  in  tlie  day,  a  few  were  affected  by  his 
power,  while  the  rest  were  witnesses  only.  But  on  this  occa- 
sion every  man  had  shared  in  the  blessing,  for  all  had  eaten 
and  all  had  been  filled.  With  one  voice  they  said,  "This 
is  of  a  truth  the  prophet  that  cometh  into  the  world."  As 
they  thus  spoke  to  one  another  their  excitement  grew.  The 
Passover  was  near.  All  tlie  land  was  looking  for  the  coming  of 
the  Messiah.  In  every  village  and  city,  and  on  the  hillsides,  and 
in  the  valleys,  were  men  ready  to  rise  in  rebellion  the  instant 
the  leader  appeared.    The  recent  murder  of  the  Baptist  had 


I 


a  i' 


132 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS.    > 


Stirred  the  hearts  of  the  people  witli  new  resentment  against 
the  Hcrods  and  their  Ruiuan  masters.  And  now,  with  the 
memory  of  Jesus'  signs  and  wonders  in  their  minds,  and 
stirred  in  heart  because  by  his  miraculous  power  they  had  that 
hour  been  filled  with  food,  they  believed  that  he  was  indeed 
the  Messiah  ;  and  when  some  one  there  suggested  that  they 
there  and  then  choose  him  as  king  and,  putting  him  at 
their  head,  march  to  Jerusalem-  to  the  Passover,  the  propo- 
sition was  received  with  enthusiasm.  In  fancy  they  saw 
crowds  hurrying  to  his  standard  as  they  marched.  They 
heard  shouts  of  welcome  from  the  multitudes  gathered  in  the 
Holy  City  for  the  feast.  They  saw  a  great  popular  revolution, 
their  liberties  secured,  and  the  hopes  of  Israel  realized.  In 
that  hour  of  tremctidous  excitement,  they  thought  of  only 
one  difficulty — his  own  unwillingness  to  accede  to  their  de- 
sires; and  this  they  determined  to  overcome  by  force.  "Jesus 
therefore  perceiving  that  they  were  abont  to  come  and  take 
him  by  force  to  make  him  king,  withdrew  himself  into  the 
mountain,  himself  alone."  They  did  not  follow  him  there 
because,  before  withdrawing  from  them,  he  had  quieted  their 
excitement — perhaps  had  told  them  with  a  solemnity  which  for 
the  moment  drove  their  wild  ambitions  out  of  their  minds, 
that  he  was  about  to  retire  for  prayer.  Stilled  by  his  word, 
as  they  had  been  fed  by  his  power,  they  scattered  for  the 
night. 

Jesus  Walks  npon  the  Water. — ^Before  sending  the  mul- 
titude away,  Jesus  had  bidden  the  disciples  return  by  boat  to 
the  western  side  of  the  lake.  It  being  clear  that  the  rest 
which  he  and  they  so  much  needed  could  not  be  obtained  so 
near  Capernaum,  he  would  seek  it  elsewhere.  And  now, 
while  he  is  praying  in  the  mountain,  the  disciples,  making 
their  way  toward  Capernaum,  are  overtaken  by  a  storm  and 
are  distressed  by  the  waves.  He  sees  their  peril,  and  that 
they  may  be  rescued,  goes  to  them,  walking  upon  the  water 
as  upon  the  pavement.     When  they  see  this  form  moving 


\  I 


THE  GALILEAN  MINISTRY   ENDED. 


133 


upon  the  sea,  they  are  alarmed,  and  cry  out,  "  It  is  a  ghost." 
But  hia  familiar  voice  quiets  them  with  the  words,  ''Be  of 
good  cheer;  it  is  I;  be  not  afraid."  Reassured,  they  are 
willing  to  receive  him  inter  the  boat.  But  first,  Peter,  im- 
pulsive and  daring  as  ever,  must  siiare  more  fully  in  the 
miracle  and  says,  "Lord,  if  it  be  thou,  bid  me  come  to  thee 
upon  the  water."  And  Jesus,  willing  to  show  the  too  self-re- 
liant, but  wholly  devoted  Peter,  that  his  courage  is  still  liable 
to  faint,  says,  "  Come."  Peter  obeys ;  walks  for  a  little  upon 
the  water ;  then,  beginning  to  reali/e  the  storm,  fears,  and  is 
sinking.  "Lord,  save  me!"  he  cries,  "O  thou  of  little 
faith;  wherefore  didst  thou  doubt?"  is  Jesus*  gentle  re- 
proach, as  he  supports  the  fearful  man  in  the  water.  Wh'^n 
Jesus  and  Peter  went  up  into  the  boat  the  storm  was  over, 
and  the  boat  was  near  the  Gennesaret  shore. 

Traditionalism  Rebuked.— As  soon  as  it  was  known  that 
Jesus  was  in  the  neighborhood,  his  healing  mercies  were 
sought.  Wearied  though  he  was,  he  allowed  himself  to  be 
detained  by  these  appeals  for  help,  healing  as  many  as  came 

to  him.  ■■    ^'     ■  ^:.       -  =   .     •  ;.•,,-,         -.;{* 

When  he  was  doing  this  compassionate  work,  certain  Phor- 
isees  and  scribes,  who  had  come  from  Jerusalem  to  watch  and 
oppose  his  work  in  Galilee,  came  out  from  Capernaum  and 
began  to  charge  him  with  fault,  in  that  he  permitted  his  dis- 
ciples to  ignore  the  traditions  of  the  elders.  Jesus  promptly 
seized  this  opportunity  to  rebuke  the  traditionalism  which,  in 
some  cases,  laid  grievous  burdens  upon  men  ;  which  in  others, 
permitted  them  to  evade  sacred  duties ;  and  in  yet  other 
things,  to  insult  the  person  of  God  himself  .  .     v 

The  Discourse  on  the  Bre&d  of  Life— When  morning 
came,  the  multitudes  that  had  been  miraculously  fed,  not 
finding  Jesus  nor  his  disciples,  hired  boats  which  the  storm 
had  driven  into  the  harbor  of  Bethsaida  Julias,  and  crossing 
the  sea  came  to  Capernaum,  "  seeking  Jesus."  Having 
found  him,  they  began  to  ply  him  with  qu 


'esi,ions. 


TH il.  !_ 

X'lUlll    LUIS 


■-■,-.,  I 


134 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


proceeded  that  extraordinary  dialogue  recorded  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  John,  in  which  he  taught  that  he  was  the  Bread 
of  Life.  The  time  was  ripe  for  the  great  crisis  of  his  GaU- 
lean  ministry.  The  people  who^ere  thronging  him  wher- 
ever he  went,  thougii  not  animated  by  the  same  thoughts  or 
enmities  as  the  Pharisees, were  nevertheless  cherishing  opin- 
ions whicii  were  thoroughly  antagonistic  to  the  principles  of 
his  kingdom.  They  must  be  taught  that  his  character  and 
aims  were  totally  opposed  to  those  of  the  Messiah  of  their 
ambitions.  Therefore,  taking  the  miracle  of  the  loaves  as 
his  starting  point,  he  speaks  truths  whicii  prove  quick  and 
powerful  and  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword.  First 
they  wonder ;  then  they  cavil ;  tiien  they  oppose.  But  the 
more  they  question  the  sharper  he  makes  his  words.  The 
hour  for  the  wiimowing  has  come,  and  the  strongest  winds 
of  truth  are  necessary  to  separate  the  wheat  from  the  chaff. 
He  shows  that  the  manna  received  from  the  skies  of  old 
was  not  the  Bread  of  Life  which  came  down  out  of  heaven, 
for  those  who  ate  it  died ;  and  affirms  that  he  is  himself 
the  Bread  of  Life,  and  that  only  by  receiving  him  in  his 
sacrificial  death  can  the  hunger  and  thirst  of  the  soul  be 
satisfied. 

The  synajrogue  must  have  presented  a  strange  scene  on  that 
day.  The  Pharisees  were  at  once  angry  and  exultant — angry  be- 
cause of  his  daring  words,  and  exultant  because  they  saw  that 
he  was  destroying  his  popularity.  Among  the  common  peo- 
ple, those  who  had  followed  him  with  Messianic  hopes  were 
now  completely  alienated,  as  they  found  that  he  would  not 
realize  their  ambitious  desires.  There  was  consternation  even 
among  his  disciples ;  the  saying  was  too  hard  for  them  to 
bear;  and  "upon  this,  many  of  his  disciples  went  back  and 
walked  no  more  with  him." 

In  his  grief,  as  he  saw  the  people  forsaking  him  in  crowds, 
he  turned  to  the  twelve,  and  said,  "Would  ye  also  go 
away?"     And  while  it  may  not   be  doubted   that    they 


THE   GALILEAN   MINISTRY    ENDED. 


136 


shared  the  popular  disappointment  in  Jesus  that  day,  they 
knew  cnougii  of  his  character  to  understand  that  whether  he 
would  do  what  they  had  hoped,  or  would  lead  them  by  a  way 
which  they  knew  not,  he  was  still  the  Lord  of  life ;  and 
Peter  answered,  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?  Thou  hast 
the  words  of  eternal  life.  And  we  have  believed  and  know 
that  thou  art  the  Holy  One  of  God."  Thus,  while  the  mul- 
titudes forsook  him,  the  twelve,  because  they  endured  tlie 
testing  of  this  day,  were  more  than  ever  his  own  ;  all  but 
Judas  Iscariot,  "  for  he  it  was  that  should  betray  him." 

With  this  discourse  on  the  Bread  of  Life,  the  Galilean 
ministry  proper  ends.  Jesus  will  speak  other  messages  and 
do  other  miracles  in  Capernaum  while  visiting  in  Galilee,  but 
the  rest  of  his  life  will  be  spent  almost  wholly  in  upper  Gali- 
lee, Perea,  and  Judea.  The  Galileans  have  had  their  oppor- 
tunity ;  and  though  individuals  here  and  there  have  been 
won  to  him,  he  has  been  rejected  by  the  leaders  and  now  is 
forsaken  by  the  common  people. 

RELATED  ScRiPTURK.  —  Matt.  9  :  35-11 :  1 ;  13  :  54-15  :  20; 
Mark  6  :  1-7  :  53;  Luke  9  :  1-17;  John  6  :  1-71. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  the  first  rejection  at  Nazareth,  2.  Name  the  four 
disciples  whom  Jesus  called  just  after  the  first  rejection.  3.  Des- 
cribe the  second  rejection  at  Nazareth.  4.  What  did  Jesus  do 
immediately  after  the  second  rejection?  5.  What  powers  were 
given  the  twelve  when  sent  upon  their  mission  ?  6.  Make  an 
analysis  of  Jesus'  discourse  on  this  occasion,  7.  What  led  to 
the  arrest  of  John  the  Baptist?  8.  Describe  the  occasion  of  his 
murder.  9.  Why  did  Jesus  retire  to  the  neighborhood  of  Beth- 
saida  Julias?  10.  Where  is  Bethsaida  Julias?  11.  Describe  the 
miracle  of  the  loaves.  12.  What  did  the  people  attempt  to  do 
after  this  miracle?  13.  Describe  the  miracle  which  occurred 
on  the  sea  that  night.  14  By  whom  was  Jesus  met  when  he 
reached  the  western  side  of  the  lake  ?  15.  Make  a  careful  study 
of  the  discourse  on  the  Bread  of  Life. 


'  ! 


XXIV. 

THE  WITHDRAWAL  FROM  GALILEE. 

Jesus  Seeks  Safety  and  Quiet  in  Korthern  Galilee.— Hos- 
tility had  so  increased  that  Jesus  deemed  it  wise  to  withdraw 
from  Galilee.  Only  a  year  remained  to  him  on  earth.  Much 
of  that  he  must  spend  in  training  his  disciples.  During  the 
spring  and  summer  forming  the  first  half  of  this  year  he 
sought  constantly  to  avoid  the  notice  of  the  people,  partly, 
doubtless,  that  plots  might  not  thicken  about  him,  and  partly, 
it  would  seem,  in  order  that  he  might  not  be  interrupted  in 
his  work  of  teaching  the  twelve. 

At  first  he  went  northward  into  the  neighborhood  of  Tyre 
and  Sidon,  thence  eastward  past  Hermon,  and  southward  to 
Decapolis  ;  thence  across  the  lake  to  the  west  shore,  where  he 
landed  at  Dalmanutha ;  thence  by  water  again  to  Bethsaida 
Julias ;  thence  as  far  north  as  Hermon  ;  and  then  back  again 
to  Capernaum  for  a  brief  stay.  Everywhere,  as  soon  as  his 
presence  was  known,  his  seclusion  was  interrupted  by  those 
who,  in  their  affliction,  came  to  him  for  succor,  or  who  had 
heard  of  his  miracles  and  were  eager  to  see  him. 

The  Healing  of  the  Syro-phcenician's  Daughter.— On 
reaching  the  borders  of  Tyre  and  Sidon,  "  he  entered  into  a 
house," — perhaps  one  belonging  to  a  believing  family, — and 
"  would  have  no  man  know  it ;  and  he  could  not  be  hid  "  be- 
cause there  was  trouble  in  that  neighborhood ;  a  mother's 
heart  was  burdened  for  her  demonized  child,  and  she  appealed 
to  him  for  help.  The  woman  was  a  Greek,  and  had  certain 
false  opinions  concerning  his  character  which  needed  correc- 
tion as  much  as  her  heart  needed  relief  By  an  apparent  reluct- 
ance to  help  her  he  first  of  all  purified  her  faith,  and  at  length 


THE   WITHDRAWAL    FROM  GALILEE. 


137 


was  able  to  say  to  her,  as  she  knelt  at  his  feet,  "  0  woman, 
great  is  tliy  faith  ;  be  it  done  unto  thee  even  as  tliou  wilt." 
In  that  moment  her  child  was  healed  and  she  herself,  because 
of  her  faith,  was  received  as  a  true  daughter  of  Israel.  But 
by  thus  blessing  this  afflicted  family  he  embarrassed  himself; 
for  aftrr  such  a  miracle  there  could  be  no  more  seclusion  for 
him  in  ihat  region.  Therefore,  he  turned  his  face  eastward, 
crossing  the  Lebanon  range ;  passing  near  the  source  of  the 
Jordan  ;  making  his  way  through  one  of  the  passes  of  Her- 
mon  ;  and  then  going  southward  to  Decapolis,  on  the  east  of 
the  sea  of  Gahlee.  /  .*}:>: 

Miracles  on  the  East  Bide  of  the  Lake.— When  he  ar- 
rived in  the  region  of  Decapolis,  Jesus  was  sought  out  by 
multitudes,  ''having  with  them  the  lame,  blind,  dumb, 
maimed,  and  many  others,"  who  had  heard  of  his  powers  and 
believed  in  him  as  a  miracle  worker.  It  may  be  that  this 
widespread  faith  in  him  was  due  to  the  testimony  of  the  man 
of  Gerasa,  out  of  whom  he  had  cast  out  the  legion  of  demons 
many  weeks  before,  and  whom  he  had  sent  to  his  own  home, 
contrary  to  the  healed  man's  wishes,  to  tell  of  the  great  mercy 
which  had  been  shown  him.  This  man  told  the  story  of  his 
deliverance  not  only  at  home  but  also  throughout  the  city, 
and  perhaps  in  other  places;  and  thus  tlie  word  extended 
throughout  all  the  region  round  about,  and  might  easily  have 
been  hoard  in  all  parts  of  Decapolis  before  the  arrival  of 
Jesus.  It  is  interesting,  and  the  narrative  encourages  us, 
thus  to  connect  the  present  attitude  toward  Jesus  of  the  peo- 
ple on  the  east  of  the  sea  of  Galilee  with  the  testimony  of 
this  healed  demoniac.  •  -  >«, . 

•Among  those  brought  to  him  for  healing  at  this  time  was  a 
deaf  man  who  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech.  Jesus, 
when  about  to  heal  him,  took  him  apart  from  the  throng,  put 
his  fingers  into  the  closed  ears,  with  his  own  saHva  touched 
the  stammering  tongue,  sighed  as  if  oppressed,  even  while  he 
turned  his  eyes  toward  heaven,  and  then  said :  '*  Be  opened." 


138 


THE   I IPE  OF  JESUS. 


The  miracle  was  accomplislifcd  at  once,  to  tlie  joy  of  the  man 
and  to  the  wonder  of  the  multitude.  "'He  hath  done  all 
things  well,"  they  cried  ;  ''  he  maketh  even  the  deaf  to  hea? 
and  the  dumb  to  speak."  Their  enthusiasm  was  unbounded, 
and,  although  Jesus  charged  the  friends  of  the  healed  man  to 
keep  the  mii-acle  a  secret,  "  the  more  he  charged  them,  so 
much  the  more  a  great  deal  they  published  it ";  and  the  more 
they  told  the  story  the  more  the  people  of  the  country  flocked 
from  their  homes  to  see  this  great  healer.  All  quiet  was  de- 
stroyed ;  the  opportunity  to  teach  special  lessons  to  the  twelve 
was  lost ;  and,  therefore,  he  decided  to  go  elsewhere.  But 
before  going  away  he  would  perform  another  miracle,  iu 
which  not  a  few  diseased  people  only  would  be  the  sharers, 
but  the  whole  multitude  that  thronged  him.  He  would  feed 
this  multitude  as  he  had  fed  the  five  thousand  near  Bethsaida 
Julias. 

More  than  four  thousand  people  were  with  Jesus  at  this 
time,  including  a  number  of  women  and  children.  Some  had 
come  a  great  distance ;  and  all,  or  the  greater  part,  of  the 
throng  had  been  there  listening  to  his  teachings  for  three 
days.  Their  food  was  gone,  and  the  place  was  desert.  The 
provisions  which  the  disciples  had  brought  with  them  were 
also  so  far  exhausted  that  only  seven  loaves  and  a  few  fishes 
remained.  But  while  the  disciples  manifested  an  anxiety 
which  showed  that  they  had  learned  not  to  depend  on  Jesus 
for  miraculous  supplies  or  deliverance  in  the  ordinary  exigen- 
cies of  life,  he  deemed  the  few  loaves  and  fishes  enough.  At 
his  command  the  multitude  sat  down  on  the  "  ground" — the 
grass,  which  abounded  in  the  early  spring  when  the  other 
miracle  of  the  loaves  was  performed,  having  been  dried  up  by 
the  heat  of  the  advancing  summer.  As  before,  the  scanty 
jupply  is  multiplied  in  his  hands.  Soon  all  have  eaten  and 
are  filled.  On  the  former  occasion,  the  people  who  were  fed 
were  Jews ;  these  are  chiefly  Gentiles.  Then  he  pronounced 
the  blessing  on  the  bread  only,  according  to  the  Jewish  cus- 


THE   WITHDRAWAL   FROM   GALILEE. 


139 


torn  ;  now  he  blesses  both  the  bread  and  the  fish,  giving 
tlianks  twice.  At  that  time  there  were  five  loaves ;  at  this 
time  seven.  Then  twelve  small  wicker  baskets  were  filled 
with  fragments  ;  now  seven  large  baskets  are  filled.  At 
.Bethsaida  Julias  he  had  sent  the  multitude  away  when  they 
would  have  made  him  king,  and  then,  after  praying  for  a 
time  in  a  mountain,  had  walked  upon  the  water  to  las  disci- 
ples, who  had  met  the  storm  as  tliey  journeyed  toward  Ca- 
pernaum ;  here  he  sends  tho  multitude  away,  and  goes  im- 
mediately into  the  boat  with  his  disciples  to  cross  to  Dal- 
manutha. 

A  Sign  Demanded  at  Dalmanutha.— When  Jesus  landed 
on  the  west  shore  of  the  lake,  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  came 
to  him  with  the  old  demand  for  a  sign.  "  Sliow  us  a  sign 
from  heaven."  No  one  can  understand  the  sorrow  of  the 
Teacher  in  tliis  hour.  "  He  sighed  deeply,"  his  weariness  as 
well  as  his  sadness  thus  finding  expression.  "  Wliy  doth  this 
generation  seek  after  a  sign,"  he  asked,  mournfully.  "  There 
shall  no  sign  be  given  unto  it,"  he  added,  "but  the  sign  of 
Jonah."  On  a  former  occasion,  when  certain  Pharisees  had 
asked  a  sign,  after  he  had  rebuked  with  terrible  warnings  the 
sin  of  blasphemy  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  had  promised 
them  the  sign  of  Joi)ah — the  sign  of  burial  and  resurrection. 
This  demand  for  a  sign  at  Dalmanutha  is  an  echo  of  that  old 
cry,  and  his  answer  is  a  reiterr^ktion  of  his  former  solemn 
rebuke. 

The  Blind  Man  Healed  at  Bethsaida  Jnlias.— Still  in  quest 
of  seclusion,  Jesus  left  Dalmanutha  at  once  and  went  to  Beth- 
saida Julias.  Burdened  with  the  memory  of  the  reception 
given  him  by  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  at  Dalmanutha, 
he  warned  his  disciples  to  beware  of  their  teachings,  fearing, 
and  with  sufficient  reason,  that  even  among  the  twelve  there 
might  be  some  who  would  be  led  into  fatal  error  by  the  in- 
flup;nces  by  which  they  were  constantly  surrounded. 

Having  come  to  Bethsaida,  the  inevitable  appeal  for  help 


140 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


is  undo  to  liiiu.  ''  They  bring  to  him  a  blind  man."  As  in 
the  case  of  the  deaf  umn  in  Decapolis,  he  took  this  blind  mnn 
apart,  in  this  instance  outside  of  the  village,  put  saliva  on  his 
eyes,  laid  his  hands  upon  him,  and  said  :  *^  Secst  thou 
aught?  "  "  I  see  men  ;  for  I  behold  them  as  trees  walking." 
Then  Jesus  laid  his  hands  a  second  time  upon  the  man's  eyes, 
and  at  once  their  restoration  was  complete.  Being  anxious 
to  avoid  the  crowd,  which  the  rumor  of  this  miracle  would 
attract,  ''  he  sent  him  away  to  his  heme,  saying :  Do  not 
even  enter  into  the  village." 

Peter's  Confession  by  the  Way.— Leaving  Bethsaida 
Julias,  Jesus  went  northward  to  CaDsarea  Philippi.  He 
curried  a  heavy  heart.  Though  the  twelve  were  with  him, 
he  was  a  ^ad  and  lonely  man.  One  day,  after  praying  in 
solitude  for  a  season,  he  asked  his  disciples  the  questiou : 
"Who  do  men  say  that  I  am?"  "John  the  Baptist," 
"Elijah,"  "Jeremiah,"  "One  of  the  Prophets"— these  are 
the  answers  which  lie  received.  Even  those  who  followed 
him  admiringly  did  not  pas^  beyond  this  conception  of  his 
character.  The  common  people,  though  they  heard  liim 
gladly,  did  not  recognize  in  him  the  Christ  of  God.  "But 
who  say  ye  that  I  am?"  he  asked  further.  "Peter  an- 
swered :  Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living  God." 
This  confession,  instant,  full,  spiritual,  is  manna  to  Jesus' 
hungry  soul.  "Blessed  art  thou,  Simon  Bar-jona,"  he 
says,  quickly;  his  heart  full— his  eyes  full  too,  it  may 
be,  for  he  was  a  man  of  finest  sensibilities— "  for  flesh 
and  blood  have  not  revealed  it  unto  thee,  but  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven."  Once  before  Peter  had  said :  "  And  we  have 
believed  and  know  that  thou  art  the  Holy  One  of  God  "  ;  and 
a  day  or  two  earlier  there  had  been  those  in  the  boat  which 
he  had  rescued  from  the  waves,  who  had  said  :  "  Of  a  truth, 
thou  art  the  Son  of  God  ";  but  now  as  Peter  speaks,  it  is  with 
full  intelligence  of  the  sicrnificance  of  the  words  he  is  using. 
The  teachings  of  the  spring  and  summer  have  not  been  in 


\  I 


THE  WITHDRAWAL   FROM  QAULEE. 


141 


nth 


vnin,  nur  litis  the  Father  withheld  his  help.  The  truth  has 
laid  its  l>and  upun  these  luen  who  have  left  all  tu  folluw  him  ; 
and  therefore  this  is  the  hour  choseu  by  Jesus  to  uiiiiouiice 
to  thcni,  first  of  all,  their  great  honors  and  responsibilities, 
and  then  his  own  approaching  death.  ''Upon  this  rock  1 
will  build  uiy  church  ;  and  the  gates  of  Hades  shall  not  pre- 
vail against  it." 

Although  Jesus  had  brought  his  disciples  to  the  point  where 
they  could  confess  intelligently  that  he  was  the  Christ,  it  was 
not  his  wish  that  they  should  proclaim  this  fact  at  present. 
He  therefore  commanded  them  to  tell  no  man  that  he  was 
the  Christ.  For  a  season  his  work  must  be  done  privately. 
At  the  eud  of  this  period  of  special  training  of  the  twelve, 
and  of  recuperation  of  liis  own  wasted  strength,  he  would 
again  lift  up  his  voice  in  the  hearing  of  the  people  of  the 
laud. 

Jesus  Foretells  his  Death.— At  this  time  Jesus  makes 
the  first  clear  and  detailed  statement  of  his  approaching  death 
at  Jerusalem,  foretelling  his  ill  treatment  by  the  "  elders  and 
chief  priests  and  scribes,"  and  the  end  of  it  all  is  his  death 
and  resurrection.  All  the  disciples  are  shocked,  and  Peter, 
shrinking  from  the  picture  of  Jesus'  death,  and  losing  tlie 
meaning  of  that  part  of  the  statement  which  referred  to  the 
resurrection,  said  :  "Be  it  far  from  thee,  Lord  ;  this  shall 
never  he  unto  thee."  If  Peter,  when  a  little  while  before  he 
hod  confessed  nobly,  was  honored,  he  now,  as  he  puts  himself 
with  the  great  tempter  who,  in  the  beginning  of  Jesus'  min- 
istry had  sought  to  turn  him  aside  by  showing  him  an  easy 
path  to  victory,  is  humiliated.  "  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan  ; 
thou  art  a  stumbling-block  unto  me ;  for  thou  mindest  not  the 
things  of  God.  but  the  things  of  men."  The  way  of  honor 
and  ease  could  not  lead  him  to  his  sacrificial  triumph.  That 
he  might  lead  others  into  the  hght,  he  must  himself  plunge 
into  the  darkness.  Not  only  so,  but  those  who  would"  come 
after  him  must  deny  themselves,  take  up  the  cross  and  follow 


142 


THE   LIFE  OP  JEaUS. 


liiiu.  And  all  thcso  should  gain  in  luring  ;  for  lie  wlio  in  this 
way  lost  the  wurld,  uhuuld  gain  his  liib. 

The  Transfiguration.— They  Imd  coiuo  near  llcmion,  and 
after  some  days  Jesus  took  with  him  Peter,  James,  and  John 
and  ascended  a  spur  of  this  mountain,  and  there  pniyed.  For 
days  he  had  been  walking  in  the  shadow ;  now  a  heavenly 
light  crowns  his  head.  He  is  transfigured  ;  his  face  is  bright 
like  the  face  of  the  sun  ;  his  garments  glisten.  It  is  the  hour 
of  exaltation  and  glory.  Although  the  weary  disciples  have 
fallen  asleep,  Jesus  is  not  alone.  M  jses  the  lawuiver  and 
Elijah  the  prophet  are  with  him.  They  talk  of  the  decease 
which  he  is  to  accomplish  at  Jerusalem.  The  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future  lie  in  that  glorious  light  upon  the 
mountain  ;  and  he  who  for  days  has  been  infinitely  sad  is 
comforted. 

At  length  the  three  disciples  are  aroused.  Two  of  them  in 
their  amazement  are  silent,  but  Peter  speaks,  albeit  with  a 
blundering  tongue.  He  asks  that  he  may  be  permitted  to 
build  three  booths,  one  for  Jesus,  one  for  Moses,  and  one  for 
Elijah.  As  he  speaks  he  is  interrupted  by  the  sudden  rising 
of  a  cloud  which  overshadows  them  all ;  and  out  of  the  cloud 
there  comes  a  voice,  saying:  "This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in 
whom  I  am  well  pleased  ;  hear  ye  hiiu."  Amazed  before, 
the  three  are  terrified  now,  and  fall  upon  their  faces,  not  dar- 
ing to  uncover  fhoir  eyes.  Then  J.^sus  comes  and  touches 
them,  and  says  :  "Arise  ;  be  not  afraid."  And  lifting  their 
eyes  they  see  no  one,  save  ' '  Jesus  only. '  *  The  vision  is  past ; 
the  voice  is  silent ;  Moses  and  Elijah  have  withdrawn ;  but 
the  heart  of  the  Son  of  Man  is  filled  with  peace. 

The  Healing  of  the  Demoniac  Boy.— While  Jesus  was 
experiencing  the  exaltation  of  transfiguration  on  the  mountain, 
the  nine  disciples  whom  he  had  left  behind  were  suff*ering 
defeat  atjd  humiliation  in  the  valley.  A  man  had  come  to 
them  with  his  demoniac  child,  a  pathetic  and  deplorable  epi- 
leptic; and  they,  undertaking  to  cast  out  the  demon,  had 


!    ? 


THE    WITHDRAWAL   FROM    GALILEE. 


143 


failed.  Thereupon  a  great  diacudHion  had  ari»cn  ;  and  doubt- 
less  the  disrepute  into  whiuh  '.lie  nine,  by  tlieir  ill-guided 
zuul,  had  fallen,  extended  in  the  popular  thought  to  the 
Master.  At  his  eomin;;,  therefore,  he  rebuked  the  demon, 
the  throng,  and  the  diseiples.  •If  thou  canst,"  the  father 
had  said,  asking  help  ;  and  then,  when  eluded  for  his  doubt, 
hud  cried  :  "  1  believe  ;  help  thou  my  unbelief  "  Then  Jesus 
cast  out  the  demon  with  a  word  and  with  a  touch  restored  the 
exhausted  body  of  the  boy.  Demons  disappeared  ut  iiis  word 
more  (luiekly  than  unbelief;  and  even  in  this  hour  of  triumph 
he  mourned  because  of  the  pcrversenesa  of  the  people.  "  How 
long  Bhall  I  bo  with  you?"  he  asked;  "how  long  bhall  I 
suflfer  you?" 

Ihe  Beturn  to  Capernaum.—Jesus  now  turns  liis  face 
toward  Capernaum,  On  this  journey  lie  once  more  predicts 
his  death  at  Jerusalem.  "But  they  understood  not  the  siry- 
ing,  and  were  afraid  to  ask  him." 

When  Jesus  reached  Capernaum,  the  collectors  of  the  tem- 
ple tax  ciiii  to  !*eter  and  said,  perhaps  with  a  sinister  motive  : 
"Doth  net  your  master  pay  the  half-shekel?"  Peter  an- 
swered, "Yes,"  promptly;  an  answer  which  Jesus  endorsed 
whon  P»eter  met  him,  though  tirst  he  made  him  understand 
tlut  it  was  to  avoid  misunderstanding  that  he  paid  the  tax, 
ajid  not  because  he  had  not  the  right  to  be  free.  This  was 
folWed  by  the  miracle  of  the  coin  in  the  fish's  mouth. 

During  the  journey  from  the  north,  the  disciples,  believing 
that  the  kingdom  was  at  hiuid.  h;  I  fallen  into  a  dispute  as  to 
which  of  their  number  should  have  the  highest  place  in  it. 
Therefore,  while  remaining  in  Ca|  ornauni,  Jesus  called  them 
to  him  and,  rebuking  them  for  their  ambition,  delivered  a 
solemn  discourse  on  Ininiility  and  forgiveness.  As  an  illus- 
tration of  the  spirit  which  should  be  in  them  he  set  a  child 
in  their  midst ;  he  cliided  them  for  interfering  with  one 
whom  they  had  found  casting  out  demons  in  his  name  ;  and 
he  taught  them  that  they  would  better  sacrifice  a  hand,  a 


144 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


foot,  or  an  eye,  or  anything  else  that  might  lead  them  to 
oifeud,  rather  than  to  expose  themselves  to  danger  from  *Uhe 
worm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  that  is  not  quenched." 
"  Have  salt  in  yourselves,"  he  added  ;  "  and  be  at  peace  one 
with  another. ' ' 

Related  Scriptuke.— Matt.  15 :  21-18 :  85 ;  Mark  7  :  24-9 :  50; 
Luko  y :  18-60. 

'  QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Why  did  Jesus  leave  Galilee  at  this  time?  2.  "Where  did 
he  go  first?  3.  What  miracle  did  ho  perform  there  ?  4.  Why  did 
ho  leave  this  region  ?  5.  Where  is  Decapolis?  6.  What  miracles 
did  he  perform  there  ?  7.  Note  the  differences  between  the  feed- 
ing of  the  four  'housand  and  the  feeding  of  the  five  thousand. 
8.  Who  questioned  him  when  he  landed  at  Dalmanutha?  9. 
What  miracle  did  he  perform  near  Bethsaida  Julias?  10. 
What  confession  did  Peter  make  on  the  northward  journey? 
11.  Describe  the  transfiguration.  12.  What  miracle  did  Jesus 
perform  after  leaving  the  mountain  ?  13.  What  prediction  did 
he  make  just  before  and  again  soon  after  the  transfiguration? 
14.  What  question  was  put  to  Peter  upon  their  return  to  Caper- 
naum? 15.  What  was  the  occasion  of  Jesus' discourse  en  hu- 
mility and  forgiveness? 


EEVIEW  QUESTIONS. 

1.  Who  accompanied  Jesus  on  his  first  preaching  tour  in  Gali- 
lee? On  the  second?  On  the  third?  2.  During  which  of  those 
tours  did  he  send  the  twelve  forth  two  by  two?  3.  Compare 
the  first  and  second  rejections  at  Nazareth,  noting  resemblances 
and  differences,  4.  Relate  the  circumstances  leading  to  the  im- 
prisonment and  death  of  John  the  Baptist.  5.  On  how  many 
occasions  did  Jesus  still  the  sea?  Find  scriptural  references 
6  Discover  the  reasons  why  the  Jews  were  offended  by  the  dis- 
course on  the  Bread  of  Life.  7.  Name  the  eight  parables  of 
the  Day  of  Parables.  8.  Which  of  these  were  spoken  by  the 
sea?  9.  Which  in  the  house?  10.  Under  what  circumstances 
did  Jesus  speak  of  "An  eternal  sin"  ?  11.  Review  your  analysis 
of  the  sermon  on  the  Mount. 


XXV. 


Gali- 
those 
Tipare 
ances 
e  iin- 
Imany 
ncos 
e  dis- 
les  of 
y  the 
ances 
alysis 


PUBLIC  TEACHINQ  RESUMED. 

The  Final  Departxire  from  Oalilee— The  work  of  Jesus 
in  Galilee  was  done,  and  he  would  now  leave  the  province  not 
to  return  until  after  his  resurrection. 

The  feast  of  the  Tabernacles  being  near,  his  brothers,  not 
believing  that  he  was  the  Messiah,'  because  his  methods 
were  so  diflFerent  from  the  methods  their  worldly  wisdom 
would  have  chosen,  urged  him  to  go  up  to  the  feast  and  pre- 
sent himself  publicly  to  the  nation:  "If  thou  doest  these 
things,  manifest  thyself  to  the  world."  But  Jesus  could 
neither  gratify  their  wish  nor  approve  their  spirit ;  and  they 
therefore  went  their  way,  leaving  him  in  Galilee.  Soon  after 
they  had  gone  he  also  started  for  Jerusalem,  seeking  to  make 
the  journey  as  unobtrusively  as  possible. 

It  was  his  purpose  to  go  through  Samaria,  that  route  being 
shorter  than  the  one  on  the  east  of  Jordan,  and  less  frequented 
by  the  Jews.  This  gave  rise  to  an  unpleasant  experience,  in 
which  the  Samaritans  of  a  certain  village  showed  their  fierce 
bigotry,  and  two  of  the  disciples,  James  and  John,  that  they 
,  were  not  possessed  of  the  mild  spirit  of  their  Master.  Because 
Jesus  was  going  to  Jerusalem,  the  villagers  would  not  permit 
him  to  be  entertained  in  their  village,  and  because  of  this  af- 
front the  Sons  of  Thunder  wanted  permission  to  call  down  fire 
from  heaven  to  consume  them. 

The  loneliness  and  poverty  of  Jesus  at  this  period  are 
revealed  in  his  answer  to  one  who  professed  great  devotion  to 
him:  "The  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  heaven 
have  nests,  but  the  Son  of  Man  hath  not  where  to  lay  his 
head,"    At  this  time  too.  he  tpsted  other  disciples,  who,  more 

K  146 


,.i 


146 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


F-' 


urgent  than  intelligent,  had  not  yet  realized  all  that  disciple- 
ship  would  mean  in  the  days  upon  which  the  Son  of  Man  had 
come.  If  to  these  would-be  disciples  there  seemed  some- 
thing of  severity  in  his  demands,  it  was  the  severity  of 
growing  sorrow  and  unchanging  love.  In  order  that  he  might 
give  life  to  men,  they  must  become  his  own  absolutely. 

The  Seventy  Sent  Forth.— It  was  the  intention  of  Jesus 
to  go  into  Perea  after  the  feast  of  Tabernacles  to  carry  his 
gospel  to  the  Jews  of  that  region ;  and  in  order  that  the 
minds  of  the  people  there  might  be  prepared,  so  that  they 
would  quickly  gather  about  him  on  his  arrival,  he  sent  seventy 
of  his  disciples  forth  into  "every  city  and  place  where  he 
himself  was  about  to  come."  The  commission  given  them 
was  similar  to  that  formerly  given  to  the  twelve,  though  differ- 
ing i"^  some  points,  as  befitted  the  temporary  character  of 
their  service.  "I  send  you  forth  as  lambs  in  the  midst  of 
wolves,"  he  said  ;  and  then  as  his  mind  was  engaged  for  the 
moment  with  the  guilt  of  those  who  were  rejecting  his  teach- 
ings, he  pronounced  woes  upon  Ciiorazin,  Bethsaida,  nud 
Capernaum,  and  added :  "  He  that  rejecteth  you,  rejecteth  me ; 
and  he  that  rejecteth  me,  rejecteth  Him  that  sent  me." 

How  long  these  thirty-five  pairs  of  disciples  were  engaged 
in  their  work,  we  cannot  tell ;  but  when  they  returned  from 
their  mission,  whether  it  was  soon  after  their  appointment  or 
not  until  after  the  feast  of  Tabernacles  was  over,  they  were 
greatly  filled  with  the  joy  of  success.  "Even  the  devils  are 
subject  unto  us  in  thy  name,"  they  said.  As  he  heard  these 
tidings,  Jesus  seeing  in  them  the  promise  of  future  triumphs 
by  his  followers,  exclaimed  exultantly  :  "  I  beheld  Satan  fallen 
as  lightning  from  heaven." 

The  Parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan. — Perhaps  it  was 
about  this  time  that  in  reply  to  a  question  from  a  certain 
lawyer,  Jesus  delivered  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan, 
by  which  he  would  show  who  may  be  regarded  as  our  neigh- 
bors.   This  is  one  of  the  most  precious  of  all  t^^ose  parables 


..\  I, 


PUBLIC  TEACHING   RESU^^IED. 


147 


which  our  Lord  used  with  sucli  marvelous  skill  during  his 
ministry.  The  pitiless  indifference  of  the  priest  and  Levite, 
and  the  practical  sympathy  of  the  Samaritan, — a  name  hate- 
ful to  the  Jews'— are  set  forth  wit  h  great  power  ;  and  when 
the  self-sufficient  Jewish  lawyer  is  bidden,  in  the  words  ''Go, 
and  do  thou  likewise,"  to  imitate  the  Samaritan,  the  lesson 
and  the  rebuke  reach  their  climax. 
]  Jesus  Visits  Martha  and  Mary. — Luke  places  Jesus'  visit 
to  Martha  and  Mary  immediately  after  the  parable  of  the 
Good  Samaritan.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  Martha  was 
rebuked  by  Jesus,  not  because  she  was  a  good  housekeeper, 
nor  because  she  was  not  a  godly  woman,  but  because,  though 
godly,  she  was  unduly  fretted  by  her  household  cares  ;  while 
Mary  was  commended  for  that  religious  temper  whiQh,»i)i<j6 
spiritual  teaching  absorbingly  precious  to  her. 
'.  The  Feast  of  the  Tabernacles.— For  about  six  months 
Jesus  had  been  avoiding  the  multitudes  ;  but  now  the  time 
had  come  for  him  to  make  his  claims  to  the  Messiahship 
widely  heard,  and  the  feast  of  Tabernacles  gave  him  the  op- 
portunity which  he  desired.  At  this  feast,  Jerusalem  was 
always  fi'  d  with  worshipers,  many  being  present  from  dis- 
tant lands,  «s  well  as  from  all  parts  of  Palestine.  Therefore, 
whatever  happened  in  Jerusalem  during  the  feast,  would  be 
reported  in  many  cities  and  to  multitudes  of  Jews.      „.• .    ,, 

It  was  expected  by  the  people  that  Jesus  would  be  present 
at  this  feast ;  and  when  the  early  days  came  and  he  did  not 
appear,  a  great  disappointment  was  felt.  "Where  is  he?" 
was  the  queiition  that  passed  from  one  to  another.  No  theme 
was  so  much  discussed  as  his  character,  and  various  were  the 
opinions  expressed  by  the  people.  "  He  is  a  good  man,"  said 
some.  "  Not  so,  but  he  leadeth  the  multitudes  astray,"  said 
others. 

About  the  middle  of  the  festival  Jesus  suddenly  appeared 
in  the  temple,  and  began  to  teach.  Answering  the  perplex- 
ity of  those  who  were  astonished  at  his  learning',  he  said, 


148 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


*  / 


"My  teaching  is  not  mine,  but  His  that  sent  me."  From 
t  litf  divine  claim  he  passed  at  once  to  a  solemn  accusation, 
charging  that  the  Jews  before  him  were  brpaking  Moses'  law. 
"Why  seek  ye  to  kill  me?"  he  asked,  suddenly.  "Thou 
hast  a  devil,"  they  answered,  "who  seeketh  to  kill  thee?" 
But  when  he  reminded  them  of  the  miracle  of  healing  done 
on  the  occasion  of  his  last  visit  to  the  city,  and  how  on  ac- 
count of  it  the  Jews  conspired  to  murder  him,  because  it  was 
done  on  the  Sabbath,  the  objectors  were  silenced;  while 
others,  bein?  aware  of  the  intention  to  kill  him,  and  noting 
his  boldness,  began  to  wonder  if  after  all  the  rulers  had  not 
become  convinced  that  he  was  the  Christ. 

Meanwhile  the  Pharisees,  disturbed  and  enraged  by  Jesus' 
daring,  and  by  tlie  favorable  impression  he  was  making  on 
the  many,  bade  the  temple  police  arrest  him  ;  but  these, 
divinely  hindered,  delayed  to  execute  the  order,  for  his  hour 
was  not  j'ct  come.  There  were  other  messages  which  he  must 
speak  to  the  people  at  this  feast.  Of  all  these,  the  most  pre- 
cious was  spoken  on  the  last  day,  "the  great  day  of  the 
feast."  The  priest  had  poured  out  at  the  altar  the  water 
which  had  been  brought  with  great  pomp  and  rejoicing  from 
Siloam,  and  the  people  had  joined  with  the  priests  in  glad 
chanting,  when,  in  a  moment  of  silence,  the  voice  of  Jesus 
vas  heard  calling  loudiy  :  "If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drink."  All  who  heard  knew  that  in  this  in- 
vitation, so  bravely  spoken,  th^re  was  a  jMessianic  claim  ;  and 
some  said,  "  This  isof  atruth  the  prophet,"  while  others  said, 
"  This  is  the  Christ "  ;  to  which  others,  in  their  ignorance  of 
his  birthplace  and  lineage,  replied  that  Jesus  could  not  be  the 
Christ,  because  he  was  not  from  Bethlehem,  nor  of  the  family 
of  David.  Thus  the  multitude  was  divided,  some  becoming 
his  friends,  while  others  in  their  fierce  enmity  would  have 
seized  liim  had  they  dared  ;  but  even  the  temple  police,  accus- 
tomed though  they  were  to  arrests,  could  not  be  persuaded  to 
lay  hands  on  this  gracious  Teacher.    "  Why  did  ye  not  bring 


PUBLIC  TEACHING    RESUMED. 


149 


1  come 
his  in- 
and 
said, 
lance  of 
je  the 
family 
oming 
have 
accus- 
ided  to 
t  bring 


him  ?  ' '  the  Pharisees  asked,  wlien  the  officers  came  to  re- 
port. "  Never  man  so  spake,"  they  answered.  "Are  ye  also 
led  astray?  "  retorted  the  Pharisees  ;  "  this  multitude  which 
kuoweth  not  the  law  are  accursed."  Whereupon  Nicodemus, 
being  one  of  the  Pharisees,  reminded  his  fellows  that  their 
law  did  not  judge  a  man  until  he  hu  1  been  tried.  But  this 
mild  remonstrance  only  stirred  the  Pharisees  to  more  furious 
wrath.  "Art  thou  also  of  Galilee  ?  "  they  asked,  with  a  savage 


sneer 


Two  other  dialogues  occurred  during  this  feast.  As  the 
ceremony  of  pouring  out  the  water  had  been  seized  by  Jesus 
to  give  impressiveness  to  one  of  his  claims,  so,  appaiently,  it 
was  the  illumination  of  the  temple,  which  occurred  on  one 
evening  of  this  feast,  which  gave  him  another  opportunity  to 
challenge  the  attention  of  the  people.  "  I  am  the  light  of  the 
world,"  he  said.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  dialogue  in 
which  Jesus  calmly  answered  with  irresistible  arguments  the 
Pharisaic  clamoring,  while  at  the  same  time  he  heaped  Mes- 
sianic claim  upon  claim  ;  "I  am  from  above"  ;  "I  am  he, 
and  I  do  nothing  of  mj'self "  ;  "He  that  sent  me  is  with  me  "  ; 
and  though  so  many  opposed  him  at  every  word,  his  teach- 
ings won  conquests ;  "  as  he  spake  these  things  many  believed 
on  him." 

The  fiercest  altercation  of  all  these  stormy  days  occurred  in 
connection  with  his  teachings  concerning  spiritual  freedom. 
"If  ye  abide  in  my  word,  then  are  ye  truly  my  disciples ;  and 
ye  shall  know  the  truth  and  the  truth  shall  make  j'ou  free," 
he  had  said.  This  the  Jews  took  up  quickly,  declaring  proudly 
that  they  had  been  free  always,  because  they  were  the  seed  of 
Abraham  ;  to  which  he  answered,  that  they  were  indeed  the 
children  of  Abraham  after  the  flesh,  but  not  after  faith. 
"  Ye  are  of  your  father,  the  devil,"  was  his  terrible  charge ; 
"he  that  is  of  God  heareth  the  words  of  God."  This  start- 
ling candor  made  the  Jews  furious.  "Thou  art  a  Samaritan, 
and  hast  a  devil,"  they  shouted.  On  a  former  occasion,  wheo 


'\:;'1 


150 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


■•V«,»."t 


in  cool  blood  certain  Pharisees  had  said  siiuilar  words,  he  had 
answered  witii  the  most  terrible  condemnations ;  but  now,  as 
these  opponents  cry  out  in  their  anger,  his  answer  is  almost 
mild.  He  has  a  further  word  to  say,  a  sublimer  claim  to 
make,  and  would  have  them  hear  him  calmly.  Gradually, 
therefore,  he  leads  their  minds  forward  again,  until  at  length 
he  declares,  solemnly :  "  Before  Abraham  was,  I  am."  As  he 
makes  this  claim  to  divine  pre-existcnce,  the  Jews,  enraged 
beyond  measure,  begin  to  rusli  about  and  gather  up  stones 
that  they  may  stone  him.  But  his  work  not  being  done,  his 
hour  not  having  come  at  this  time,  he  hides  himself,  and  so 
escapes  their  fury.  ■!!?'  '" 

The  Healing  of  the  Man  Born  Blind.— "  Who  did  sin, 
this  man,  or  his  parents,  that  he  was  born  blind?  "  asked  his 
disciples  on  a  certain  Sabbath  as  they  passed  by  the  place  where 
a  blind  man  begged.  First  of  all,  Jesus  corrected  the  Jewish 
error  which  attributed  the  man's  calamity  to  .i  particular  sin, 
and  then  graciously  gave  the  blind  eyes  sight.  The  healing 
had  two  parts.  He  first  anointed  the  blind  man's  eyes  with 
clay  moistened  with  saliva,  thus,  according  to  the  rabbinic 
laws,  breaking  the  Sabbath,  and  then  sent  him  to  Siloam  to 
wash.  .  •-■„       '  -  ■■■■,-..  ,i  ■' .   ■■  .r   ■•  '   ^-■•- 

As  his  accfuaintanoes  saw  the  man  returning  from  Siloam 
with  sound  eyes  they  were  thrown  into  great  excitement.  They 
could  not  credit  the  testimony  of  their  own  eyes  when  they 
saw  that  sight  had  been  restored  to  his.  Having  heard  from 
him  in  reply  to  eager  questioning  the  story  of  his  healing, 
they  led  hiiu  to  the  Pharisees,  to  whom,  at  their  request,  he 
repeated  the  tale.  Of  these,  some  were  angry  because  by 
applying  saliva  to  the  blind  man's  eyes  Jesus  had  broken 
their  Sabbath  laws,  while  others  refused  to  believe  that  such 
a  miracle  could  be  done  by  a  sinner.  In  the  altercation  which 
followed  they  applied  to  the  healed  man  for  an  opinion  as  to 
the  character  of  his  healer;  and  then  to  his  parents;  and 
then  again  to  the  man  himself ;  and  when  the  man  whoso 


•k1»Tf  *!■  '".I.         .».l'l'.' 


■^*  »-    -r'r-.'tl' 


PUBLIC  TEACH INQ   RESUMED. 


161     /I 


!.:'« 


eyes  had  been  opened  refused  to  believe  timt  lie  wlio  bad 
healed  hiiu  was  a  wicked  uiun,  and  when  he  criticised  shrewdly 
their  arguments,  they  in  their  chagrin  and  rage  cast  biui  out 
of  the  synagogue,  a  social  calamity  of  a  serious  nature,  espe- 
cially to  so  poor  a  man,  since  such  excommunication  made 
him  an  outcast,  not  only  from  the  sympathy  and  help  of  all 
in  Jerusalem,  but  of  all  Jews  wherever  he  might  go 

When  Jesus  knew  that  the  man  had  been  excunimunicated, 
he  sought  him  out,  and  led  him  into  spiritual  light.  "  Lord, 
I  believe,"  said  this  happy  unfortunate,  who  not  only  had 
gained  spiritual  as  well  as  physical  blessing,  but  had  ex- 
changed membership  in  a  Jewish  congregation  fur  fellowship 
with  the  Father  and  with  his  son,  Jesus  Christ.  )'  r 

Jesus  the  Good  Shepherd. — The  events  of  the  feast  of 
Tabernacles  had  shown  how  utterly  unfitted  were  tlie  Jewish 
leaders  to  shepherd  Israel ;  and  as  on  different  occasions 
Jesus  had  spoken  of  the  people  us  a  flock  scattered  abroad, 
uncared  for  and  unfed,  so  now  he  declares  hiniBelf  to  be  the 
Good  Shepherd,  who  will  lay  down  iiis  life  for  the  sheep.  This 
discourse,  while  it  set  forth  his  own  compassion,  and  foretold 
the  sacrifice  which  he  would  make  in  behalf  of  the  world, 
carried  with  it  a  complete  condemnation  of  the  Jewish  teach- 
ers of  that  age,  who,  when  they  were  not  robbers  were  hire- 
lings, fleeing  rather  than  taking  personal  risk  for  the  sake  of 
the  flock.  As  they  heard  his  words  of  grace  and  rebuke, 
opinion  among  the  Jews  was  divided.  "  He  hath  a  devil,  and 
is  mad,"  cried  one  party.  "  Can  a  devil  open  the  eyes  of  the 
blind  ?"  questioned  the  other.  ,   v- 

Jesus  having  delivered  this  discourse  leaves  them  for  a  sea- 
son, and  enters  upon  his  work  in  Perea. 

The  Feast  of  Dedication  — Two  months  after  the  feast  of 
Tabernacles,  Jesus  was  found  in  Jerusalem  again,  attending 
the  feast  of  Dedication.  This  return  showed  how  he  yearned 
over  the  people  of  the  city,  and  how  eagerly  he  sought  every 
opportunity  to  win  them  to  the  truth  before  the  final  catas- 


152 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


trophe  of  his  life  should  come.  As  the  people  saw  him  walk- 
ing in  Solomon's  Porch  one  day,  they  gathered  about  him 
with  the  question:  '*How  long  dost  thou  hold  us  in  sus- 
pense? If  thou  be  the  Christ  tell  us  plainly."  A  vain 
question  I  They  had  been  told  before,  and  would  not  believe. 
Jesus,  having  reminded  them  of  this,  declared  that  he  was 
one  with  God.  At  this  amazing  assertion  they  prepared  to 
stone  him  for  blasphemy ;  but  were  so  perplexed  by  the 
arguments  w'th  which  he  tmaed  upon  them,  even  as  they 
held  the  stones  in  their  hands,  that  they  did  not  carry  out 
their  purpose,  determining  instead  to  arrest  him.  But  even 
this  they  failed  to  do,  and  Jesus  soon  after  left  Jerusalem  and 
*^  went  away  again  beyond  Jordan  into  the  place  where  John 
was  at  the  first  baptizing ;  and  there  he  abode.  And  many 
came  unto  him,  and  many  believed  on  him  there."  The 
work  which  had  been  temporarily  interrupted  was  taken  up 
again,  and  the  scenes  of  the  early  Galilean  ministry  were  re- 
enacted  in  Perea. 

Kelated  Scripturk.— Mntt.  19  :  1,  2;  11  :  20-30;  Mark 
10  :  1 ;  Luke  9  :  51-10  :  42 ;  John  7  :  1-10  :  42. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  What  request  did  Jesus  refuse?  2.  "Why  did  certain  Samar- 
itan villagers  deny  him  entertainment?  3.  What  evidence 
have  we  of  Jesus'  poverty  at  this  time?  4.  "Why  did  Jesus  send 
the  seventy  forth,  and  where  did  thoy  preach?  5.  Give  the 
story  of  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan.  6.  Why  was  Mar- 
tha rebuked  and  Mary  praised?  7.  What  opinions  concern- 
ing the  character  of  Jesus  were  expressed  at  the  feast  of  Taber- 
nacles? 8.  What  led  the  Jews  on  this  occasion  to  charge  Jesus 
with  being  possessed  of  a  devil  ?  9.  What  invitation  did  Jesus  give 
on  the  last  day  of  the  feast?  10.  Why  did  the  officers  not  arrest 
him  ?  11.  What  claim  of  Jesus  led  the  Jews  to  gather  up  stones 
to  stone  him  ?  12.  Tell  the  story  of  the  healing  of  the  man  born 
blind.  13.  Whom  did  Jesus  condemn  in  the  discourse  on  the 
Good  Shepherd  ?    14.  How  long  after  the  feast  of  Tabernacles 


PUBI.IC  TEACHING   RESUMED. 


163 


did  tho  ftiust  of  Dedication  occur?  15.  What  led  the  people  at 
this  feast  to  propose  to  stone  him?  16.  What  prevented  them 
from  stoning  hi  in?    17.  Where  did  he  go  after  this? 


57. 
68. 
59. 
SO. 
61. 
62 
63. 
64. 
65. 
66. 
67. 
68. 

69. 
70. 
71. 
72. 
73. 

74. 
75. 
76. 
77. 
78. 
79. 
80. 
81. 
82. 
&3. 
84. 
85. 
86. 


ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lkssons  XXI-XXV. 

The  Day  of  Parables. 

The  Stilling  of  the  Tempest. 

The  Demoniac  of  Gerasa. 

The  Healing  of  the  Woman  with  the  Issue  of  Blood. 

The  Raising  of  Jairus'  Daughter. 

Two  Blind  Men  and  a  Dumb  Demoniac. 

Second  Rejection  at  Nazareth. 

Third  Preaching  Tour ;  Mission  of  the  Twelve. 

John  the  Baptist  Beheaded. 

Feeding  of  Five  Thousand :  Attempt  to  make  Jesus  King. 

Je8U3  Walks  on  the  Water. 

Discourse  on  the  Bread  of  Life :  Forsaken  by  the  Com- 
mon people. 

Tyre  and  Sidon.    The  Syro-phcenician's  Daughter 

Decapolis :  Many  Miracles :  Four  Thousand  Fed. 

Dalmanutha :  A  Sign  Demanded. 

Bethsaida  Julias:  Blind  Man  Healed. 

Journey  Northward :  Peter's  Confessit)n :  Jesus  foretells 
his  Death  and  Resurrection. 

The  Transfiguration. 

The  Demoniac  Boy. 

Jesus  again  foretells  his  Death  and  Resurrection. 

The  Coin  in  the  Fish's  Mouth. 

Discourse  on  Humility  and  Forgiveness. 

Final  Departure  from  Galilee. 

Mission  of  the  Seventy. 

Parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 

Jesus  Visits  Martha  and  Mary. 

The  Feast  of  Tabernacles. 

Healing  of  the  Man  Born  Blind. 

Jesus  the  Good  Shepherd. 

The  Feast  of  Dedication. 


II 


l^x 


tV^V/ 


mn: 


•■utiiyy-!m  -.y  'H'^h- 


;  : 


i- 


XXVI. 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  PEREA. 

The  Out-Look. — When  Jesus  began  his  ministry  in  Perca, 
the  people  were  in  a  more  advanced  state  of  preparation  than 
were  the  Galileans  when  his  work  was  begun  among  theni. 
Besides  the  reports  that  had  reached  them  during  the  two 
and  a  half  years  in  which  ho  had  wrought  in  Judoa  and 
Galilee,  there  had  boon  the  recent  mission  of  the  seventj',  who 
had  gone  through  all  the  Perean  towns  into  which  he  was  now 
about  to  go.  Oppos'tion  too,  was  met  earlier  than  in  Galilee. 
The  blasphemous  slander  which  charged  him  with  being  in 
collusion  with  evil  spirits  had  extended  to  this  country ;  and 
therefore  as  soon  as  he  began  to  cast  out  demons,  although 
the  multitudes  marvellad,  there  were  a.  few  wl»o  made  the 
sinister  accusation  :  "By  Beelzebub  the  prince  of  the  devils 
casteth  he  out  devils."  There  was  in  Perea  also  the  same  un- 
healthful  desire  for  signs  which  he  had  so  often  reproved  in 
his  earlier  ministry ;  and  as  he  had  done  before,  so  now  again, 
he  referred  the  people  to  the  approaching  "  Sign  of  Jonah," 
and  censured  them  for  a  blindness  more  stubborn  than  that 
of  the  Ninevites.  The  Sabbath  question  also  came  up  as  it 
had  done  in  Jndea  and  Galilee.  On  one  Sabbath  he  healed 
in  the  synagogue  a  woman  who  had  been  infirm  for  cigliteen 
years,  and  on  another  he  healed  a  man  of  dropsy  in  the  house 
of  a  ruler  of  the  Pharisees;  and  when  he  was  reproved,  he 
with  arguments  silenced  his  critics,  though  their  hearts  were 
still  hot  with  displeasure  and  growing  animosity. 

History  Bepeated. — Many  of  the  discourses  whi'ih  Jesus 
had  delivered  in  Galilee  were  repeated  in  Perea,  with  sliglit 
variations.  The  Lord's  Prayer  was  given  again ;  but  on  this 
154 


THE  MINISTRY   IN'  PEREA. 


ikl 


occasion,  instead  of  following  it  immediately  with  exhorta- 
tions to  forgiveness,  ho  illustrated  the  value  of  im(  ortunute 
prayer  by  the  parable  of  'J  he  Mi'duijrht  Petitioner.  Here 
also  Josus  defied  the  prejudices  of  the  Pharisees  and  rabbinic 
law  by  neglecting  to  observe  to  the  letter  their  rules  in  regard 
to  washing  before  eating.  This  occurred  in  the  house  of  a 
Pharisee  who  had  asked  him  home  to  dinner ;  and  when  the 
Pharisees  marvelled,  Josus  repeated  his  former  teaching  on 
the  subject  of  mural  cleanliness,  reproving  them  for  their 
foolish  attention  to  the  petty  details  of  ceremonies,  while  they 
neglected  the  living  realities  which  these  ceremonies  were 
intended  to  serve.  While  the  incidents  of  this  ministry  dif- 
fered in  some  respects  from  those  of  the  ministry  in  Galilee, 
the  conditions  being  similar,  there  was  a  marked  similarity  in 
the  various  situations  which  from  time  to  time  arose.  The 
Pharisees  of  Perca  were  animated  by  the  same  spirit  as  the 
Pharisees  of  Galilee.  The  people  here  as  there  were  like  sheep 
scattered  abroad  without  a  shepherd.  And  here  also  the 
Teacher's  heart  was  filled  with  compassion  as  he  saw  the 
multitudes,  hungry  for  spiritual  food,  flocking  to  him.  ,^  ,/,,^,^ 

While  he  was  teaching  one  day,  certain  Pharisees  came  to 
him  and  advised  him  to  leave  the  country  on  pain  of  being 
slain  by  Herod.  After  answering  them  directly,  he  added, 
with  sadness:  "It  cannot  be  that  a  prophet  perish  out  of 
Jerusalem.  0  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which  killeth  the 
prophets,  and  stoneth  them  that  are  sent  unto  her  !  how  often 
would  I  have  gathered  thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  own  brood  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not ! 
Behold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate  ;  for  ]  say  unto 
you.  Ye  shall  not  see  me  until  ye  shall  say  :  Blessed  is  he  that 
coraeth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord."  If,  as  is  likely,  these 
words  were  uttered  between  the  feasts  of  Tabernacles  and 
Dedication,  at  each  of  which  an  attempt  was  made  to  stone 
Jesus,  the  pathos  of  them  becomes  the  more  striking.       ?,.  i;^ 

Three  Parables  of  Warning.— When  Jesus  was  one  day 


156 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


requcstod  to  settle  between  two  brothers  a  dispute  regarding 
an  iiilioritautio,  he  answered:  "Man,  whouiadeuieajudgeora 
divider  over  you  ?  "  and  tiien  rebuking  the  spirit  of  covetous- 
ncss  which  had  prompted  the  request,  he  spoice  tiie  parable 
oi'  The  Foolish  liioh  Man,  who,  when  his  harvests  were  abun- 
dant, instead  of  sharing  his  fullness  with  the  poor,  or  plan- 
ning some  worthy  work  which  his  enlarged  opportunities  made 
possible,  resolved  that  ho  would  build  larger  bnrns  and  say  to 
his  soul:  "Soul,  thou  hast  much  goods  laid  up  for  many 
years;  take  thine  ease,  eat,  drink  and  be  merry."  This  he 
said  unto  his  soul;  but  ''God  said  unto  him,"  said  Jesus, 
*'  this  night  is  thy  soul  required  of  thee." 

2.  'As  he  had  warned  the  people  individually  against  covot- 
ousness,  so  on  a  later  occasion  ho  spoke  soUmn  warnings 
which  related  to  Israel  ns  a  nation.  They  were  put  into  tho 
form  of  the  parable  of  The  Barren  Fig  Tree.  God  had  planted 
the  Jewish  nation  in  favored  soil,  and  had  nurtured  it  care- 
fully;  but  when  he  looked  at  the  appointed  time  for  fruit, 
instead  of  finding  figs  upon  the  tree,  he  found  a  barren  tree 
burdening  and  hurting  the  soil.  Because  of  this  he  would 
have  cut  down  the  tree  at  once  had  not  the  vine-dresser 
pleaded  that  it  might  be  spared  at  least  one  more  year ;  then 
if  no  fruit  appeared  it  should  be  destroyed.  The  people  who 
heard  this  parable  could  hardly  fail  to  comprehend  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Saviour's  words,  or  to  be  profoundly  moved  at  his 
appeals  for  repentance,  and  his  prediction  of  a  national  de- 
struction if  repentance  did  not  occur. 

3.  The  third  parable  was  uttered  in  the  house  of  a  ruler  of 
the  Pharisees.  Although  it  was  the  Sabbath,  Jesus  had 
liealed  a  man  of  dropsy,  as  on  an  earlier  Sabbath  he  had 
healed  a  woman  who  had  been  infirm  for  eighteen  years.  At 
this  time  also  he  had  observed  the  pride  and  ostentation  of 
both  the  host  and  the  guests,  and  had  reproved  both.  Then, 
because  he  was  oppressed  by  the  false  lives  of  the  people,  and 
in  order  if  possible,  to  rouse  them  to  some  sense  of  their 


THE  MINISTRY   IN   PEREA. 


1 1 


107 


spiritual  lack  and  danger,  ho  delivered  tlio  parable  of  Tlio 
Great  Supper,  which  was  a  soieinn  warning  to  those  Jews 
who  were  looking  forward  too  confidently  to  the  blessings  of 
the  Messianic  feast.  They  knew  that  they  had  been  bidden 
to  this  feast  by  the  prophets,  but  they  did  not  realize  that 
even  at  this  time,  because  of  their  moral  blindness,  they  were 
refusing  to  go  in  when  the  feast  was  spread ;  and  Jesus  taught 
that  although  they  refused,  the  feast  wouM  be  eaten,  for  the 
poor  and  outcast  would  cume  when  inv'ted,  and  the  house 
would  be  filled,  while  those  who  had  b«M'n  first  bidden  would 
be  shut  out  by  the  guilt  of  their  own  act. 

Three  Parables  of  Grace.- -As  Jesu<  -eproved  the 
haughty  rulers  of  tlie  T^coplo,  the  p'^blioans,  who  w<  re  not 
used  to  compassion  from  u  rabbi,  hear! i  a  oi  his  reproofs  ol  those 
from  whom  they  endured  so  much  contempt,  gathered  about 
him  in  large  numbers  to  hear  his  teachings.  Tliis  was  offen- 
sive to  the  Pharisees  and  scribes,  and  they  grumblingly  said  : 
"This  man  receiveth  sinners,  and  eateth  with  them."  In  re- 
ply to  their  murmuring,  Jesus  spoke  the  three  parables  of 
glad  tidings  which  have  ever  brought  hope  to  guilty  and  de- 
spairing men. 

1.  The  parable  of  the  Lost  Sheep  was  intended  to  correct 
the  false  opinion  of  the  Pharisees  in  regard  to  God's  attitude 
toward  sinners.  Their  fa  JrHe  saying  on  this  subject  was : 
"There  is  joy  before  God  »•  o;ii  those  who  provoke  him  perish 
from  the  world."  Over  against  this  Jesus  puts  the  word: 
"There  shall  be  joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that  re- 
penteth."  From  their  own  solicitude  when  a  sheep  was  lost, 
he  illustrated  God's  ctire  for  the  lost  soul,  showing  that  the 
heavenly  Shepherd  would  seek  far  and  long  when  one  of  his 
flock  wandered,  and  with  tenderness  bear  home  the  wanderer 
when  at  length  he  found  him. 

2.  The  parable  of  the  Lost  Coin  lays  emphasis  upon  the 
search  for  the  lost.  The  piece  of  silver  is  near  ;  it  is  in  the 
house  ;  but  is  out  of  the  hand  of  the  woman  who  owns  it. 


V  4 


158 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Therefore  she  will  light  a  lamp  and  sweep,  searching  dili- 
gently until  she  finds  it.  And  when  she  has  f:jund  it  sho  will 
call  upon  others  to  share  her  joy.  And  if  a  woman  will  do 
this  when  a  coin  is  lost,  will  not  God  search  diligently  when  a 
soul  is  lost  and  bid  the  angels  rejoice  when  the  lost  is  found  ? 

3.  The  parable  of  the  Prodigal  Son,  which  was  the  third 
delivered  at  this  time,  is  more  comprehensive  than  the  other 
two.  In  this  case,  that  wliich  was  lost  is  not  a  sheep  or  a 
coin,  but  a  man,  who  selfishly  demands  the  portion  of  the 
inheritance  which  would  fall  to  him  at  his  father's  death,  and 
then  spends  it  all  in  riotous  living,  until  in  poverty  and  degra- 
dation he  becomes  a  swineherd  in  a  foreign  land.  The  coin 
could  do  nothing,  the  sheep  had  done  nothing,  to  find  itself; 
but  this  lost  young  man  at  length  "came  to  himself,"  and 
in  sorrow  and  humility  turned  his  steps  homeward,  to  be 
surprised  at  finding  that  his  father  had  been  watching  for  his 
return,  and  besides  greeting  him  with  loving  forgiveness, 
was  ready  to  reinstate  him  in  the  family  as  his  son.  • 

.  ■  Having  thus  shown  to  the  sinners  both  their  duty  and  God's 
compassion,  he  taught  the  Pharisees  a  useful  lesson  by  describ- 
ing them  under  the  figure  of  the  eld'  r  so.i,  who  was  sour  and 
sullen  because  the  sinful  wanderer  had  been  forgiven,  and 
complained  that  there  was  joy  over  the  repentance  of  the  un- 
worthy, while  his  regular  life  had  never  been  the  occasion  of 
any  special  reward  or  festival.  And  then,  to  show  that  God 
pitied  even  the  Pharisees,  Jesus  said,  "  And  his  father  came 
out  and  entreated  him."  But  as  there  was  no  word  to  sliow 
that  the  elder  brother  melted  at  his  father's  pleading,  so  no 
record  could  be  made  to  show  that  the  Pharisees  yielded  when 
by  the  lips  of  his  Son  their  Heavenly  Father  pleaded  with 
tham. 

Other  Parables  and  Discourses. — "  He  that  is  faithful  in 
a  very  little  is  faithful  also  in  much  :  and  he  that  is  unright- 
eous in  a  very  little  is  also  unrighteous  in  much  :  .  .  Ye  cannot 
serve  God  and  mammon."    These  and  similar  sentences  con- 


(/ 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  PEREA. 


159 


iin 

ht- 

not 

Boa- 


tain  the  substance  of  teachings  which  Jesus  addressed  at  this 
time  to  the  Pharisees  and  others.  Two  parables,  those  of  the 
Unjust  Steward  and  of  Dives  and  Lazarus,  belong  to  this  period, 
and  also  certain  discourses  on  forgiveness  and  faith.  When 
he  said  to  his  disciples,  "  If  thy  brother  sin,  rebuke  him  ;  and 
if  he  repent,  forgive  him,"  perhaps  because  their  duty  began 
to  assume  unusual  proportions  before  their  eyes,  the  apostles 
prayed,  "Lord,  increase  our  faith."  In  response  to  this 
prayer  he  described  to  them  first  the  power  of  faith  and  then 
the  duty  of  faith  and  humility. 

Lazarns  Raised  from  the  Dead.— While  Jesus  was  teach- 
ing in  Perea,  Lazarus,  a  man  whom  he  loved,  died  in  Bethany 
of  Judea.  When  Martha  and  Mary,  the  sisters  of  Lazarus, 
saw  that  he  was  dangerously  sick,  they  sent  to  Jesus  the 
touching  message  :  "Lord,  behold,  he  whom  thou  lovest  is 
sick,"  believing  that  when  he  heard  this,  he  would  hasten  to 
Bethany  to  heal  their  brother. 

But  when  he  first  received  the  message  he  showed  no  inten- 
tion of  going  to  Bethany,  a  course  whicii  the  disciples  approved ; 
for  it  was  not  long  before  that  he  had  been  compelled  to  flee 
from  Jerusalem  because  the  Jews  had  sought  to  stone  him. 
When  therefore  after  two  days  he  said,  "  Let  us  go  into  Judea 
again,"  his  disciples  remonstrated  with  him.  In  answer  to 
their  remonstrances,  he  told  them  his  special  reason  for  return- 
ing to  Bethany.  Lazarus  was  dead,  and  he  must  go  to 
awaken  him  out  of  his  death-sleep,  to  the  end  that  his  dis- 
ciples might  have  their  ftiith  confirmed.  Seeing  that  he 
would  go  to  the  side  of  his  dead  friend,  even  though  it  would 
carry  him  into  peril,  the  disciples  added  no  further  words,  ex- 
cept that  Thomas  in  his  brave  and  loving  devotion  said  to  the 
rest,  "Let  us  also  go,  that  Wb  may  die  with  him." 

When  Jesus  reached  Bethany,  Lazarus  was  in  the  grave  and 
the  house  was  filled  with  friends  of  the  family  who  had  come 
from  Jerusalem  to  mourn  with  them.  Martha  was  t  .;>  first 
to  hear  that  Jesus  was  approaching,  and  came  to  meet  him. 


160 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Then  a  touching  dialogue  occurred,  in  which  he  used  the 
words  which  have  grown  so  dear  to  the  Ciiristian  world,  "  I 
am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,"  and  Martha  made  a  noble 
confession,  "I  believe  that  thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God."  .\t  the  request  of  Jesus,  Martha  returned  and  called 
Mary.  As  Mary  left  the  house  to  go  to  him,  her  mourning 
friends,  supposing  that  she  was  going  to  the  tomb  to  weep 
there,  followed  her.  These,  therefore,  were  present  when 
Jesus,  witnessing  the  weeping  of  Mary  and  her  friends,  and 
being  profoundly  moved,  asked,  "  Where  have  ye  laid  him?" 
"  Lord,  come  and  see,"  they  replied.  And  as  he  went  "Jesus 
wept."  The  Jews  seeing  his  tears,  began  to  ask  if  this  Rabbi, 
who  a  few  months  before  had  given  sight  to  the  blind  in  Jeru- 
salem, could  not  have  healed  his  friend  Lazarus.  While  they 
were  yet  making  their  whispered  comments,  awed  doubtless  by 
the  emotion  of  Jesus,  they  arrived  at  the  tomb. 

At  once  Jesus  commanded  that  the  stone  which  was  before 
the  tomb  should  be  taken  away ;  and  thousrh  Martha  expressed 
the  fear  that  corruption  had  already  hegun  in  the  body, 
his  command  was  obeyed.  We  may  believe  that  a  strange 
hush  was  over  all  that  throng  as  they  waited  in  wonder  to  see 
what  Jesus  would  do.  At  iSrst  he  prayed.  Then  in  a  loud 
voice  he  cried,  "Lazarus,  come  forth."  This  extraordinary 
command  was  obeyed  immediately,  and  Lazarus,  all  swathed  in 
grave  clothes,  stood  before  them,  alive.  "Loose  him,  and  let 
him  go,"  said  Jesus.  With  this  command  the  record  ends. 
What  Mar  ha  and  Mary  said  or  felt  or  did  is  not  described  by 
the  sacred  writer.  This  reticence  is  striking  evidence  of  the 
reatraint  of  divine  inspiration.  We  are  grateful  for  it.  The 
scene  was  too  sacred  for  description. 

The  effect  upon  the  people,  however,  is  described.  Some 
of  them  became  believers,  others  went  away  and  told  the  Phari- 
sees. Thereupon  the  Sanbedrin  was  called  hastily  together, 
and  after  consultation  it  was  determined  that  Jesus  must  die. 
Gaiaphas,  crafty  and  conscienceless  as  ever,  in  his  character  as 


THE  MINISTRY  US  FEBEA. 


161 


ome 
iari- 
Lher, 
I  die. 
3r  as 


high  priest  prophesied  "  that  Jesus  should  die  for  the  nation." 
**Thi8,"  says  Ederslieini,  ''was  the  last  propliecy  in  Israel; 
with  the  sentence  of  death  on  Israel's  true  High  Priest  died 
prophecy  in  Israel,  died  Israel's  high  priesthood.  It  had 
spoken  sentence  upon  itself." 

''Jesus  therefore  walked  no  more  openly  among  the  Jews, 
but  departed  thence  into  the  country  near  to  the  wilderness, 
into  a  city  called  Ephraim  ;  and  there  he  tarried  with  the  dis- 
ciples." His  hour  to  die  had  not  yet  come.  Not  until  tho 
feast  of  Passover  shall  the  Lamb  of  God  be  offered  in  sacrifice. 
Therefore,  until  the  Passover  is  near,  he  will  not  return  to 
'Judea. 

Belat£D  Scbiptubk.— Luke  11 :  1-17 :  10 ;  John  11 :  1-54. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTFONS. 

1.  How  was  Ferea  prepared  for  the  visit  of  .Tesus?  2.  Name 
throe  parables  which  wore  spoken  in  Ferea.  8.  Describe  the 
Sabbath  question  discussion  in  Ferea.  4.  Repeat  the  story  of 
thia  Frodigal  Son.  5.  Locate  Bethany  on  the  map.  6.  Who 
sent  a  message  from  Bethany  to  Ferea,  and  why  ?  7.  Describe 
the  raising  of  Lazarus  from  the  dead.  8.  What  other  incidents 
of  giving  life  to  the  dead  are  recorded  in  the  Gospels?  9.  What 
did  the  Sivnhedrin  resolve  upon  on  learning  of  the  raisit.g  of 
Lazarus?    10.  To  what  city  did  Jesus  retire  at  this  time ? 


.* 


•- ?. 


XXVII. 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  PEREA  CONCLUDED. 

Two  Miracles. — After  sojourning  for  a  time  in  Ephraim, 
perhaps  in  quiet  fellowship  with  the  twelve  and  by  special 
teachings  preparing  them  for  the  events  which  were  soon  to 
occur,  Jesus  turned  his  face  toward  Judea.  The  end  was 
near,  and,  without  haste  or  excitement,  he  went  forth  to  meet 
it.  During  the  journey  multitudes,  hearing  of  his  approach, 
flocked  to  him  ;  and  as  he  went  on  his  way  he  taught 
thum  many  things  and  performed  many  miracles  of  healing. 
Not  many,  however,  of  his  teachings,  and  only  two  of  the 
miracles  belonging  to  this  period,  are  recorded ;  and  we  are 
again  reminded  that  the  sacred  writers  report  but  a  few  of  the 
things  which  Jesus  said  and  did. 

The  healing  of  the  ten  lepers  occurred  on  the  borders  of 
Galilee  and  Samaria.  Standing  afar  off,  these  poor  diseased 
creatures  cried  :  "  Jesus,  Master,  have  mercy  on  us. "  Turn- 
ing toward  them,  he  looked  on  their  wretchedness  and, 
moved  with  great  pity,  answered  :  "  Gro  and  show  yourselves 
unto  the  priests.  "  The  lepers,  believing  fully  in  him  as  a 
Healer,  obeyed;  and  "as  they  went  they  were  cleansed." 
As  soon  as  the  miracle  occurred,  one  of  them,  a  Samaritan, 
his  heart  full  of  gratitude,  turned  back,  and  with  a  loud  voice 
glorified  God,  while  the  other  nine,  selfish  in  their  recovered 
health,  and  more  eager  to  be  reinstated  in  the  community  by 
the  word  of  the  priest  than  to  give  thanks  to  their  Healer, 
went  on  their  way.  "Were  there  not  ten  cleansed?  But 
where  are  the  other  nine  ?"  is  Jesus'  sad  comment.  Ten  had 
been  made  free  from  their  disease,  but  only  one  had  become  a 
disciple.  Their  faith  had  healed  them.  His  faith  had  saved 
102 


'( 


:■/■ 


THE  MINISTRY   IN   PEREA  CONCLUDED.       163 


a 


jr. 


him.  '  Arise,  "  said  the  Lord,  "and  go  thy  way  ;  thy  faith 
hath  made  thee  whole. " 

The  other  miracle  of  this  period  occurred  later  in  the 
journey,  when  Jesus  had  come  near  Jericho.  Two  blind  men, 
one  of  whom  was  Bartimeus,  as  they  were  begging  by  the 
Wayside  learned  that  he  was  passing,  and  asked  of  liim  a 
greater  gift  than  any  they  had  ever  asked  before  of  any 
man.  "  Have  mercy  on  us,  "  tliey  cried  ;  and  when  the  mul- 
titude bade  them  be  still,  they  cried  the  more  loudly,  "  Have 
mercy  on  us."  "  What  will  ye  that  I  should  do  unto  you ?  " 
he  asked.  "Lord,  that  our  eyes  may  be  opened,"  they 
pleaded;  and  their  prayer  availed.  Stepping  forward  he 
touched  their  eyes,  and  immediately  they  saw  as  other  men, 
and  joined  the  throng  that  followed  him. 

Four  Parables. — 1.  When  Jesus  had  spoken  to  the  people 
of  his  second  coming,  he  concluded  his  discourse  with  the 
'parable  of  The  Importunate  Widow ;  by  which  he  taught 
that  in  all  the  years  in  which  the  church  would  be  look- 
ing for  the  consummation  of  its  hopes,  though  oppressed  by 
enemies  and  delayed  in  its  expectation,  it  would  have  always 
reason  to  trust  and  wait.  "Howbeit,  "  added  Jesus,  "  when 
the  Son  of  Man  cometh,  shall  he  find  faith  on  the  earth?" 

2.  Whenever,  in  that  age  and  land  of  Pharisees,  Jesus  was 
speaking  to  a  promiscuous  company,  there  were  some  present 
who  "  trusted  in  themselves  that  th<  ^  vvere  righteous  and  set 
all  others  at  naught."  Among  the  innumerable  rebukes  of 
the  Pharisaic  spirit  which  disi^inguished  his  teachings  was  the 
parable  of  the  Pharisee  and  Publican,  a  parable  which, 
though  primarily  ^(tended  to  rebuke  self-righteousness,  has 
proved  a  source  of  infinite  con. fort  to  myriads  of  sinners  in 
the  hours  when  their  guilt  seemed  greater  than  ;  y  could 
bear.  Tlie  parable  is  a  graphic  picture.  Two  men  are  stand- 
ing in  the  temple,  one  with  head  erect,  the  other  with  s 
downcast ;  the  former  recounting  his  good  deeds,  the  latter 
speaking  only  of  his  sins ;  the  one  voluble  in  his  boastings, 


i:^^ 


(5  '  ' 


it 


li 


XM      Av:i4\m.^  THE.: LIFE.  OF  JESUS.    •  If  ••..../■: 

the. other  almtst  too  troubled  to  speak,  aaying  only,  as  He 
beats  his  breast :  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  siunor."  Wheii 
Jesua  had  wmplcted  the  painting  c/  the  j*  !i^iir<j,  -nu  .ae  -d- 
tention  of  all  wati  engaged  with  it,  he  saic).  with  impressive 
emphasis,  pointing  to  the  publican,  "  TIms  man  went  down  to 
his  house  justified  rather  thau  the  other.  " 

3.  "  What  shall  we  have?  "  asked  Pyter  one  day  ^hoL  he 
reminded  Jesus  that  !iO  and  liiij  assooiatea  had  left  all  to 
follow  him.  The  question  is  one  wbioh  is  liable  to  ai .  -  in  any 
lu:!3ji.aa  heait.  Therefore  Jesus  speaks  a  paiabl"  to  chide  the 
sp'V,  I  ouV  <  t  whicli  nuch  an  inquiry  springs,  and  to  show  more 
clearly  to  'hb.  di£>ciples  that  his  kingdom  is  a  kingdom  of 
gi'tme.  »'i  the  parable  of  The  Laborer  in  the  Vineyard,  a 
bouse  I  solder  u  represented  as  going  out  early  in  the  morning 
to  hire  laborers  to  work  in  his  vineyard,  and  again  at  nine 
o'clock,  again  at  twelve,  again  at  three,  aod  again  at  five.  At 
Hix  o'clock,  the  day's  work  being  ended,  all  appeared  before- 
the  householder  to  receive  their  wages ;  and  when  he  gave  cv 
full  day's  wages  to  those  who  had  worked  only  one  hour» 
those  who  had  worked  all  day  and  received  no  more,  were  dis^ 
pleased,  and  complained  bitterly.  The  rebuke  which  Jesus 
puts  into  the  mouth  of  the  householder  corrects  the  selfish  and 
envious  spirit  which  sc  easily  intrudes  into  all  the  thoughts  of 
men,  but  which  he  would  show  could  not  be  suffered  in  matr 
ters  relating  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

4.  Those  who  heard  the  teaohincrs  of  Jesus  at  the  house  of 
Zaccheus  in  Jericho,  feeling  that  both  in  his  words  and  ruan- 
ner  there  were  tokens  of  vast  events  near  at  hand,  and  turn- 
ing in  thought,  as  was  natural  in  a  Jew,  to  the  Messianic  king- 
dom, asked  him  if  that  kingdom  would  appear  immediately. 
In  answer  he  spoke  to  them  the  paraWi  of  The  Pounds.. 
Their  expectations  were  doubly  wrong  ley  erred  as  to 
times  and  s"»ason3,  and  equally  as  to  the'  v  jper  relations  to. 
the  .cflorif;  hioh  should  come.  1?;  v  of  gazing  into  the 
horizon,  .ui^  waiting  for  marvels  fi-.i.      strong  and  glorious. 


THE  MINISTBY  IN  PEREA  CONCLUDED.       165 


•."f 


36  of 

man- 
turn- 
ing- 
[tely. 
LDds. 
to 
IS  to. 
the 
:ioufl 


power,  it  was  their  duty  to  apply  themselves  diligently  to  the 
great  tasks  of  the  spiritual  life  which  he  revealed,  and  be  in  an 
expeetant  attitude  until  he  who  was  about  to  go  away  should 
return  again  to  possess  fully  his  kingdom.  Id  that  day  the  faith- 
ful, whether  their  fidelity  had  won  a  ten-fold  or  a  five-fold  in- 
crease, should  be  rewarded.  On  the  other  hand,  the  unfaithful 
who  came  up  sourly  to  return  the  pound  which  he  had  refused 
to  use,  would  be  forever  impoverished ;  while  those  who,  being 
citizens  of  the  country,  declared  themselves  rebels  against  the 
king's  authority,  should  be  destroyed. 

Discourses  and  Incidents  —1 .  When  children  were  brought 
to  Jesus  for  his  blessing,  his  quick  sympathy  was  touched, 
and  when  the  disciples  would  have  isent  the  mothers  away 
disappointed,  he  rebuked  them  with  the  words,  "Suffer  the 
little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. ' ' 

2.  Unlike  tiie  babes  which  fond  mothers  carried  was  that 
rich  young  ruler,  who,  not  long  after,  came  to  him.  Strong 
in  his  virtuous  life,  but  not  yet  satisfied  in  heart,  he  desired 
t6  be  taught  the  way  of  life  by  this  great  Teacher.  Jesus, 
discerning  that  with  all  his  nobility,  there  was  in  his  character 
the  fatal  defect  of  covetousness,  bade  him  dispose  of  his  pos- 
sessions for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.  Had  his  heart  been  like 
that  of  "a  little  child,"  this  test  could  have  been  endured, 
but,  because  he  had  become  wedded  to  his  possessions,  he 
turned  away  from  Jesus,  "  exceeding  sorrowful ;  for  he  was 
very  rich."  As  Jesus  saw  him  going  sadly  away,  his  own 
sadness  exceeded  that  of  the  j'oung  man,  and  he  said,  "With 
what  -difficulty  shall  they  who  have  riches  enter  into  the 
kir^gdom  of  heavan ! "  ' 

3.  ^s.  they  drew  nearer  to  Jerusalem,  the  time  came  fiii* 
Jesus  to  tell  with  ^eater  explicitness  than  ever  before,  that 
his  present  journey  carried  bim  to  his  death.  The  twelve 
alone  were  permitted  to  receive  this  communication.  To  thein 
he  first  explained  the  ancient  prophecies,  describing  thesnffep- 


^<^K 


166 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


';-^f 


ings  of  the  Messiah ;  and  then,  himself  a  prophet  foretold 
all  the  incidents  of  his  trial  and  death  at  the  hantis  of  the 
Romans.  But  though  he  spoke  so  clearly,  they  could  not 
understand.  Stunned  by  words  so  terrible,  and  unable  to  com- 
prehend a  meaning  so  appalling,  "they  perceived  not  the 
things  that  were  said." 

4.  At  this  time,  James  and  John,  through  their  mother, 
made  an  appeal  to  Jesus,  which  at  once  revealed  their  ambi- 
tion and  their  total  misconception  of  the  character  of  his 
kingdom.  They  asked  that  they  might  be  his  chief  counsel- 
ors in  his  future  glories,  the  one  fitting  on  his  right  hand  and 
the  other  on  his  left.  Apparently  Jesus  was  both  grieved  and 
shocked  by  their  request.  "  Ye  know  not  what  ye  ask,"  he 
replied.  When  the  ten  heard  that  James  and  John  had 
sought  special  honor  for  themselves  in  the  kingdom  of  the 
Messiah,  they  were  indignant  at  the  two  brotherfc,  and  Jesus 
perceiving  that  bitterness  was  arising,  called  the  disciples  to 
him  and  taught  them  again  what  spirit  should  prevail  among 
them.  "  Whosoever  would  become  great  among  you,  shall 
be  servant  of  all.  For  verily  the  Son  of  Man  came  not  to  be 
ministered  unto,  but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom 
for  many.  '* 

Visit  to  Zaccheus. — As  Jesus  entered  Jericho,  which  was 
one  of  his  last  resting  places  before  reaching  Jerusalem, 
crowds  gathered  and  followed  him.  Among  the  number  was 
a  little  man  named  Zaccheus,  who  was  the  chief  of  the  publi- 
cans of  the  city,  and  had  become  rich  by  that  extortion  which 
was  so  common  with  men  of  his  class.  Finding  himself  at  a 
disadvantage  on  account  of  his  shortness  of  stature,  he  slipped 
out  of  the  crowd,  and,  running  ahead  of  the  procession, 
climbed  up  into  a  tree  by  the  side  of  the  road.  As  he  perched 
there  on  a  bough,  he  had  no  thought  that  salvation  was 
drawing  nigh  to  him,  or  that  he  would  be  even  noticed  by  the 
rabbi.  What,  therefore,  must  have  been  his  feelings  when 
he  saw  the  face  of  Jesus  upturned  as  he  c.ime  near  the 


V 


nt  a 


THE   MINISTRY    IN    PEREA    CONCLUDED.        167, 

sycamore  tree,  and  he  heard  him  saying,  "Zaccheus,  make 
haste  and  come  down  ;  for  to-day  I  must  abide  at  thy 
house." 

Though  Zaccheus  had  asked  no  grace,  it  is  plain  that  this 
word  of  Jesus  found  his  heart  hungering  after  right43ousness. 
He  had  not  found  satisfaction  in  money-getting.  Already  ho 
had  begun  in  a  blind  way  to  seek  for  better  things.  And  now 
when  the  Master  speaks  to  hiui,  he  obeys  gladly.  "And  he 
made  haste  and  came  down,  and  received  him  joyfully."  But 
while  there  is  joy  in  the  heart  of  Zaccheus,  there  is  grumbhng 
in  the  streets.  "He  has  gone  in  to  lodge  with  a  man  that 
is  a  sinner,"  murmur  the  Jewish  haters  of  the  tax-gatherers, 
as  they  see  where  Jesus  stopped.  Meanwhile  Zaccheus  was 
declaring  to  Jesus  that  the  current  of  his  life  had  been 
changed.  "  I  give  half  of  my  goods  to  the  poor,"  "  When 
there  has  been  extortion  I  restore  four-foM  "  "To-day  is 
salvation  come  to  this  hiiuse."  Jesus  unswored,  and  then, 
apparently  turning  to  the  Jews  who  stood  neai  ^ry  and 
tiisapproving,  he  said,  "Forasmuv.li  as  he  also  is  a  son  of 
Abraham."  And  then  he  added  that  gracious  word  which 
was  intended  not  only  for  Zaccheus,  or  the  Jews,  but  also  for 
all  men  in  all  times  and  lands :  "  For  the  Son  of  Man  came 
to  seek  and  to  save  that  whicn  was  lost." 

The  Second  Anointing  of  Jesns.— In  Galilee,  on  one  occa- 
sion, while  Jesus  was  at  meat  in  the  house  of  a  Pharisee,  a 
sinful  woman  of  the  city  stole  into  the  room  and  anointed  his 
feet  with  ointment.  Now  another  anoint.  ,  curred  at  a 
feast,  but  this  time  in  Judea  ;  and  she  who  on  this  occasion 
anointed  him  was  Mary,  who  early  became  one  of  his  most 
intelligent  and  devoted  disciples.  On  the  former  occasion, 
Jesus  used  the  incident  to  show  that  those  to  whom  much  is 
forgiven,  will  love  much  ;  on  this  occasion  he  makes  the 
anointing  lead  the  minds  of  the  guests  to  his  approaching 
death. 

The  command  had  gone  forth  from  the  chief  priests  and 


-■■•* 


1If  wW'^-^ 


168 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


II 


Pharisees,  tl.v  >  .;  \',  one  knew  wL ere  Jesus  was,  the  infor- 
mation ^K  mli'  I  .c  given  to  them,  that  they  might  arrest  him, 
his  dcpth  having  been  determined  upon  some  time  before. 
But  this  fact,  though  known  to  Jesus,  could  not  now  turn  his 
face  away  from  Jerusalem.  His  hour  had  come,  nnd  the 
sacrifice  was  ready  for  tho  p1'  .•  '^'oming  early  to  the  feast, 
ns  many  were  accustotued  to  do,  he  visited  for  a  few  days  his 
honored  friends,  Martha,  Mary,  and  Jjazarus,  whose  home  was 
in  Bethany.  While  there,  a  supper  was  given  in  his  honor. 
During  the  supper,  Mary  took  a  box  of  costly  ointment — it 
was  worth  as  much  as  a  laborer  could  earn  in  a  year — and 
anointed  his  head  and  feet.  As  Judas  glanced  up  from  his 
eating,  he  saw  what  Mary  had  done,  and  with  darkening  face, 
said,  "To  what  purpose  is  this  waste  ?  "  By  pretending  that 
he  felt  indignant  because  by  her  extravagance  the  poor  had 
been  defrauded,  he  secured  some  sympathizers  nmong  the 
guests,  and  therefore  Jesus,  answering  their  ujurmuring, 
commended  the  action  of  Mary.  This  was  not  the  tribute  of 
affection  only.  While  Mary  had  done  him  honor  as  a  guest, 
she  had  also  begun  the  anointing  of  his  body  for  burial.  Her 
action  was  done  in  the  shadow  of  that  great  sorrow  which  she, 
with  her  fine  spirit  aal  riiscernment,  foresaw.  None  realized 
so  fully  as  Mary  that  daj  the  significance  of  his  words, 
"The  pooi'  ye  hp-e  alway  with  you:  but  me  ye  have  not 
always."  .  v  i  . 

Jesus  had  come  to  Bethany  six  days  before  the  Passover. 
As  soon  as  tiie  word  reaches]  Jerusalem,  the  common  people 
flocked  out  to  the  village,  eager  to  see  uoth  him  and 
Lazarus,  whom  he  had  rnise"  ' rom  the  dead  ;  and  though  the 
chief  priests  knew  thai  '  ^  was  there,  they  could  make  no  use 
of  their  knowledge,  f(.  he  ommon  people  would  have  de- 
fended him  irom  open  attack,  and  the  crowd  was  too  large 
and  constant  to  make  a  secret  arrest  possible.  But  help 
came  to  them  now  from  an  unexpected  quarter.  Judas,  who 
had  long  been  yielding  more  and  more  to  the  greed  which 


THE  MINISTRY  IN  PEREA   CONCLUDED.       169 

distinguished  him  from  the  first,  and  who  had  habitually 
stolen  from  the  scanty  funds  intrusted  to  him,  was  so  angered 
by  the  incident  of  the  anointing  by  Mary,  and  with  that 
unreasonableness  which  is  frequently  found  in  miserly  or 
thievish  men,  folt  such  resentment  against  the  one  who  had 
hindered  him  from  stealing,  that,  in  .the  frenzy  of  his  disap- 
pointed greed  he  went  to  the  chief  prietsts  and  bargained 
for  the  betrayal  of  his  Lord.  "Me  ye  have  not  always," 
Jesus  had  said  at  the  supper  in  Bethany ;  and  not  many 
hours  later,  one  of  those  to  whom  he  spoke,  sold  him  for 
thirty  pieces  of  silver  into  the  hands  of  the  enemies  who 
were  watching  their  opportunity  to  kill  him. 

BxLATSD  ScRiPTURK.— Matt.  19  :  3-20:  84;  26  :  6-13;  Mark 
10  :  2-52;  14  :  3-9;  Luke  17  :  11-19  :  28 ;  John  11  :  66-12 :  11. 

•V      .  QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Tell  the  story  of  the  healing  of  the  ten  lepers.  2. 
Where  did  the  healing  of  Bartimeus  take  place?  8.  Name 
the  four  parables  which  arc  referred  to  in  this  lesson.  4. 
Why  did  the  disciples  attempt  to  prevent  the  bringing  of 
babes  to  Jesus?  6.  Tell  the  story  of  the  meeting  of  the 
rich  young  ruler  with  Jesus.  6.  What  prediction  did  Jesus 
make  at  this  time  concerning  himself?  7.  On  what  pre- 
vious occasions  had  he  foretold  clearly  his  death?  8.  What 
request  was  made  of  Jesu?  on  behalf  of  James  and  John?  9. 
Why  should  these  brothers  hope  that  gti^h  a  request  might  be 
granted?  10.  Describe  the  character  of /'Hccheus.  11.  Where 
was  Jesus  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  anointing?  12,  Note  how 
the  second  anointing  differs  from  the  lirst.  13.  Why  did  the 
chief  priests  resolve  upon  the  murder  of  Lazarus  ?  14.  Who 
aided  the  chief  priests  in  their  murderous  intentions  respecting 
Jesus?      .  . 


f.,     .  ;,: 


!,■'     ti',. 


XXVIII. 


:v 


THE  FIRST  THREE  D  .YS  OP  PASSION  WEEK. 

Sunday. — The  end  is  at  hand.  Jesus  will  complete  his  tes- 
timony in  Jerusalem  within  a  tew  days,  and  then  die.  All 
caution  is  laid  aside.  The  hour  has  come  in  which  he  will 
make  his  claims  fully  known  to  the  leaders  of  the  nation,  and 
when  they  in  a  frenzy  of  resentment  seek  to  accomplish  his 
death,  he  will  not  defeat  their  purpose. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  week  he  went  from  Bethany  to  Je- 
rusalem, attended  by  multitudes  who  offered  him  royal 
honors.  Word  reached  Jerusalem  that  a  Messianic  demon- 
stration was  about  to  be  made  in  the  city,  and  large  numbers 
hurried  out  to  meet  the  procession.  At  their  coming  the  excite- 
ment grew  greater.  Garments  were  thrown  upon  the  ground. 
Branches  of  trees  were  twisted  oflF  and  scattered  in  the  way. 
Shouts  of  "Hosanna!"  filled  the  air,  and  the  enthusiasm 
swelled  like  a  swift  and  mighty  tide. 

There  were  Pharisees  in  the  throng,  and  some  of  these, 
shocked  by  a  demonstration  which  offered  Jesus  Messianic 
honors,  said  to  him,  "Master,  rebuke  thy  disciples."  Where- 
upon he  replied,  "If  these  shall  hold  their  peace,  the  stones 
will  cry  out."  Chagrined  and  defeated,  the  Pharisees  said 
among  themselves,  "  Behold,  how  ye  prevail  nothing :  lo,  the 
world  is  gone  after  him." 

As  the  procession  swept  into  Jerusalem,  all  the  city  was 
stirred.  "  Who  is  this  "  was  asked,  on  every  hand.  *'  This  is 
the  prophet  Jesus,  from  Nazareth  of  Galilee,"  the  multi- 
tudes answered.  But  though  he  was  the  prophet,  he  had  no 
message  for  them  this  day.  By  his  royal  entry  into  the  city 
he  had  asserted  his  Messiahship.  This  was  sufficient  for 
170 


'/' 


FIRST  THREE  DAYS  OP   PASSION    WEEK.       171   l\ 


was 

Ihis  is 

mlti- 

lid  no 

city 

for 


ono  day.  Going  up  to  tlio  touiplo  ho  looked  around  upon  all 
things  there,  and  then  with  the  twelve  quietly  returned  to 
Bethany.  It  had  been  a  day  of  triumph.  Tiie  night  should 
be  spent  in  prayer  and  rest. 

Monday. — As  Jesus  was  returning  to  Jerusalem  on  Mon- 
day, he  noticed  by  the  wayside  a  fig  tree  in  leaf,  and  as  tho 
fruit  of  the  fig  appears  before  the  leaves,  in  this  green  foliago 
he  saw  promise  of  fruit  sufficient  to  sutisfy  his  hunger  ;  but 
when  he  went  to  the  tree  he  found  it  barren.  "  Let  there  be 
no  fruit  from  thee  henceforward  forever,"  he  exclaimed; 
and  the  tree,  blasted  by  the  curse,  withered  r.way.  The  doom 
of  the  hypocrite  lias  come  upon  the  fig  tree,  as  it  is  coming 
upon  the  Jewish  people ;  and  answering  the  questioning  and 
wonder  of  his  disciples,  Jesus  bids  them  have  fuith  in  God  in 
order  that  they  may  receive  the  things  which  in  prayer  they 
seek. 

The  second  great  incident  of  this  second  day  was  the  cleans- 
ing of  the  temple.     Although  Jesus  at  the  beginning  of  hi  > 
ministry,  three  years  before,  drove  out  the  traders  and  mui 
changers  whose  unholy  traffic  defiled  his  Father's  lie     •.  n 
permanent  reform  was  effected  ;  and  on  this  occasion  (  » 

the  same  evils  prevailing  as  then.  "Is  it  not  writ  "  ].'> 
cried,  '*  My  house  shall  be  called  a  house  of  prayer  ft  '  )■ 
nations  ?  but  5'e  have  made  it  a  den  of  robbers. "  Then  as  tho 
people  crowded  around  him,  he  began  to  teach  and  to  heal  tho 
blind  and  the  lame.  Popular  interest  increased  every  mo- 
ment, and  to  swell  the  excitement,  certain  boys  who  had  wit- 
nessed the  miracles  began  to  cry  in  the  temple  as  thoy  had 
heard  the  multitudes  cry  the  day  before,  "  Hosanna  to  the 
Son  of  David  " ;  and  as  on  the  previous  day  the  Pharisees  had 
bidden  him  rebuke  his  disciples  when  these  gave  him  Messi- 
anic honors,  so  now  certain  of  the  chief  priests  and  scribes 
said  to  him,  indignantly,  "  Hearest  thou  what  these  are  say- 
ing?" "Yea,"  answered  Jesus,  calmly.  Then  looking  into 
their  angry  faces,  he  asked  :    "  Did  ye  never  read.  Out  of  the 


172 


-?  THE  LIFE  OP  JESfTS; 


TH.:'; 


mouth  of  babes  and  suoklinffs  thou  hast  perfected  praise?" 
Thus  ho  concluded  the  work  of  that  day,  and  went  out  again 
to  Bethany  to  spend  the  night.  -.t  -  ;». 

Tuesday.— 1.  Authority  Challenged.  When  Jesus  reap- 
peared in  the  temple  early  Tuesday  morning,  the  chief  priests 
and  elders  were  waiting  there  to  demand  of  him  on  what  au- 
thority ho  presumed  to  take  the  position  of  i  rabbi.  "By 
what  authority  doest  thou  these  things  ?  And  who  gave  thee 
this  authority  ?  "  Three  years  before,  at  the  former  cleans- 
ing of  the  temple,  in  answer  to  their  demand  for  a  "sign," 
he  had  by  a  figure  pointed  to  his  death  and  resurrection.  Now, 
when  the  temple  of  his  body  is  about  to  be  destroyed,  instead 
of  giving  them  the  sign  of  the  resurrection,  he  replies  by  a  ques- 
tion which  he  knows  they  dare  not  answer.  "  The  baptism  of 
John,  whence  was  it?  from  heaven  or  from  men?"  They 
were  instantly  embarrassed  by  this  question.  If  they  denied 
John's  heavenly  mission  they  would  enrage  the  common  peo- 
ple, who  trusted  him  as  a  prophet  and  revered  him  as  «  mar- 
tyr. Nor  could  they  confess  John's  authority  with  mt  con- 
demning themselves,  for  they  had  not  obeyed  him.  They 
escaped  from  their  dilemma  by  a  lie — "  We  know  not."  In 
this,  therefore,  their  first  encounter  with  Jesus  on  that  day, 
they  were  shamed  fcud  silenced.  '    •    .  '    •         - 

2.  Three  Parables.  Jesus  followed  up  his  advantage  by 
addressing  his  opponents  with  that  irresistible  authority 
which  had  from  the  first  charmed  the  common  people,  and  at 
the  same  time  with  a  solemn  severity  which  was  full  of  pre- 
monitions of  appro" "'"'-"g  calamity.  The  three  parables 
which  he  chose  for  t  viS  hour,  as  they  are  put  into  contrast 
with  the  three  recorded  in  the  fifteenth  chapter  of  Luke,  are 
terrible  in  their  rebukes  and  threatenings.  "  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  that  the  publicans  and  harlots  go  into  the  kingdom 
of  Grcd  before  j-ou,"  the  heart  of  the  parable  of  The  Two 
Sons,  is  the  startling  message  which  he  addresses  to  these 
proud  religionists  who,  but  a  few  miautec  before,  had  com- 


FIR5T  THREE  X>AYS  OF  PASSION   WEEK.      173 


Be?" 
again 

reap- 

>riest8 
at  au- 

e  thee 
sleans- 
sign," 

Now, 
nstead 
%  qaes- 
tism  of   . 

They 
denied 
dn  peo- 

wmar- 

,t  con- 
They 
In 

t  day, 

le  by 
[thority 
and  at 
)f  pre- 
lavables 
)ntra8t 
:e,  are 
I  say 
[ngdom 
le  Two 
these 
com- 


»» 


luanded  him  to  give  a  reason  why  tliey  should  permit  him  to 
teach  in  tlie  temple.  "      ^^ 

Tlien  as  he  speaks  the  parable  of  The  Wicked  Husband^ 
men,  the  picture  wiiich  he  draws  holds  them  with  its  trugicul 
fascination.  Under  the  spell  of  his  singular  eloquence  they 
oan  almost  see  tiie  husbandmen  as  they  beat,  stone,  or  kill  the 
servants  whom  the  owner  of  the  vineyard  sends  to  collect  his 
dues.  The  sinister  conspiracy  to  murder  the  son,  followed  by 
the  bloody  deed,  seems  so  real  to  them, that  when  Jusus  asks, 
"What  will  he  do  unto  those  husbandmen?"  many  voices 
answered  instantly,  ''  He  will  miserably  destroy  these  miser- 
able men,  and  will  let  out  the  vineyard  to  other  husband- 
men." Hardly  have  they  spoken  these  words  when  they  real- 
ize that  they  have  pronounced  judgment  upon  themselves ; 
and  the  chief  priests  and  Pharisees  are  eager  to  arrest  him  at 
once,  before  he  has  opportunity  to  C3ndemn  them  further, 
but  they  are  afraid  to  take  action,  on  account  of  the  multi- 
tudes of  sympathizers  who,  believing  him  to  be  a  prophet, 
throng  about  him  and  listen  intently  to  all  his  words.  ■    ' 

The  Marriage  of  the  King's  Son  is  the  third  parable  of 
this  group.  In  the  first,  he  showed  that  the  Jews,  though 
they  had  professed  to  do  the  will  of  God,  had  not  done  it ;  in 
the  second,  he  pointed  out  liow  they  had  treated  those  ser- 
vants of  God  whom  he  had  sent  to  ask  his  rights,  and  were 
about  to  treat  his  son  ;  and  in  the  third,  he  illustrates  their 
rejection  of  his  grace.  Some  scorned  the  invitation  to  the 
heavenly  feast,  others  murdered  those*  who  invited  them. 
What  shall  be  done  to  these  offenders  against  right  and  grace? 
With  solemn  emphasis,  Jesus  answered:  "The  King  was 
wroth  ;  and  he  sent  his  armies,  and  destroyed  those  murder- 
ers, and  burned  their  city."  Upon  such  rnin  as  this  the  Jew- 
ish people  are  rushing.  Their  nation  shall  be  destroyed,  and 
others  shall  be  received  into  that  grace  which  they  have 
rejected. 

3.    Three  Questions.    When  the  Pharisees  found  that  the 


174 


THE   LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


ingenuity  and  force  of  his  parables  left  them  without  reply, 
they  withdrew  and  in  council  attempted  to  devise  some  weans 
of  entrapping  him  into  some  statement  which  would  either 
bring  him  into  conflict  with  the  civil  authorities  or  discredit 
him  in  the  eyes  of  the  people.  As  a  result  of  their  deliber- 
ations, three  questions  were  put  to  him,  with  the  hope  that 
one  of  these  would  snare  him  to  his  ruin. 

The  first  question  was,  "Is  it  lawful  to  give  tribute  to 
Caesar  or  not?  "  If  he  said,  "It  is  not  lawful,"  he  would 
be  charged  with  seditious  teachings ;  while  if  he  said,  "  It  is 
lawful,"  he  would  rouse  the  fierce  resentment  of  the  many  who 
contended  that  a  Jew  could  not  be  lawfully  taxed  by  the 
Gentiles. 

The  secon<l  question  was  put  by  Sadducees,  and  related  to  the 
resurrection,  it  being  their  purpose  to  betray  him  into  a  state- 
ment which  would  raise  a  Ixugh  at  his  expense. 

The  third  question  was  one  on  which  two  great  rabbinic 
schools  differed,  "  Which  is  the  great  commandment  in  the 
law?"  If  he  took  sides  with  one  party,  all  present  of  the 
other  party  would  be  offended,  and  his  further  teaching  would 
certainly  be  interrupted  by  the  wrangling  opposition. 

But  the  craft  of  his  enemies  failed.  Instead  of  outwitting 
him,  in  each  case  his  answer  silenced  them.  Then  he  in  turn 
became  the  questioner.  "Whose  Son  is  the  Christ?"  he 
asked.  "David's,"  they  replied,  easily.  "How  then  doth 
David  in  Spirit  call  him  Lord  ?  If  .  .  .  David  then  calleth 
him  Lord,  how  is  he  his  Son  ?  "  he  inquired.  "  And  no  one 
was  able  to  answer  him  a  word."  Their  attempt  to  silence 
him  by  insidious  questions  had  been  as  unsuccessful  as  their 
demand  for  his  authority. 

4.  Woes  Pronounced.  Addressing  first  his  disciples  and 
the  common  poople,  Jesus  denounced  the  Pharisees  for  their 
oppressions,  ostentation,  and  pride.  Then  turning  to  the 
scribes  and  Pharisees  themselves,  he  declared  solemnly  that 
they  hindered  men  from  entering  the  kingdom  of  heaven ; 


FIRST  THBEE   DAYS  OF   PASSIOX    WEEK.       175      l\ 


turn 
"   he 

doth 

lUeth 

one 

Hence 

their 

ami 

their 

the 

that 

iven : 


that  they  corrupted  witli  error  the  prosclytea  whom  they  won 
by  their  zeal ;  that  they  were  blind  guides,  making  much  of 
little  things  and  little  of  great  things  ;  that  they  were  guilty 
of  formalism,  hypocrisy,  treachery,  and  cruelty.  It  was  a  ter- 
rible arraignment  of  the  men  who  were  the  religious  leaders 
of  the  nation.  As  in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  the  Beati- 
tudes had  risen  like  Gerizim,  mount  of  blessing,  so  in  this 
discourse  the  woes  rise  like  Ebal,  mount  of  cursing. 

5.  T/ie  Last  Events  in  the  Temjjle.  Exhuuf3tcd  apparently 
by  the  stormy  scenes  of  the  forenoon,  Jesus  went  into  the 
court  of  the  women  and  sat  down  to  rest,  and  while  there 
watched  the  people  as  they  dropped  their  free-will  offerings 
into  the  brazen  chests  of  the  treasury.  He  saw  the  rich  give 
largely  and  with  ostentation ;  and  then  he  saw  one  lonely 
widow  cast  in  two  mites,  "  which  make  a  ftirthing."  Calling 
his  disciples  to  him,  he  pointed  ou|,  what  he  had  seen,  and  de- 
clared that  the  widow's  gift,  because  of  its  self-sacrifice,  was 
the  greatest  of  all  that  were  made  that  day. 

6.  Tke  Destruction  of  Jerusalem  and  the  End  of  the 
World.     With  his  disciples  Jesus   now  went  forth  from 

Jerusalem,  leaving  the  temple  forever,  and  took  the  road 
to  Bethany.  Having  crossed  the  Kidron,  he  sat  down  to 
rest  on  the  mount  of  Olives,  and  when  his  disciples,  stirred 
by  the  splendor  of  the  temple  as  seen  from  that  point, 
called  his  attention  to  its  massiveness  and  beauty,  he  an- 
swered:  "Tiiere  shall  not  be  left  here  one  stone  upon  an- 
other" ;  and  then,  when  they  questioned  him  further,  he 
delivers  his  discourse  on  the  destruction  of  the  city  and  the 
end  of  the  world  which  even  to  this  day  throbs  with  anguish, 
and  amazes  by  its  mystery  and  awfulness.  The  burden  of  his 
warning  was  that  they  should  be  ready  for  the  events  to  corae  ; 
*'  Watch,  therefore  ;  for  ye  know  not  on  what  day  your  Lord 
Cometh."  ''Therefore,  be  j'e  also  ready  ;  for  in  an  honr  that 
ye  think  not  the  Son  of  man  cometh."  By  the  pr.rablos  of 
The  Ton  Vir";ins  and  The  Talents  he  sots  forth  the  blessedness 


176 


.yi.li,l.l,'A'K' 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS*    *   iWi 


^ 


of  alertness  and  fidelity  and  the  danger  of  sloth  and  rebellion^ 
*'  There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth,"  are  the  conr 
eluding  words  of  the  second  of  these  parables,  words  which 
they  had  heard  him  use  earlier  in  the  day  when  he  ';7as  warn^ 
ing  the  Pharisees.  Then  with  a  brief  reference  to  the  judgr 
went  which  shall  follow  his  coming,  when  a  separation  shall 
occur  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  he  concluded  his 
teachings  for  that  day,  and  resumed  his  journey  to  Bethany. 
Here,  apparently,  Wednesday  was  spent  in  rest. 


/--i* 


JRelatkd  Scripturk.— Matt,  21  :  1-26  :  16;  Mark  11 :  1-14: 
11 ;  Luke  19  :  29-22  :  6 ;  John  12  :  12-60.  ,,      ■ 


v.,  QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS.  ,; 

1.  Name  tho  leading  events  of  the  Judean  ministry.  2.  Name 
any  ten  events  connected  with  his  Galilean  ministry.  3.  Trace 
on  the  map  Jesus'  journeyings  during  the  period  of  withdrawal 
from  Galilee.  4.  Locate  Bethany,  Bethlehem,  Nazareth,  Caper- 
naum, Bethsaida  Julias,  Machsarus,  and  connect  one  event  with 
each  of  these  places  5.  Kow  many  tinies  was  Jesus  anointed? 
by  whom?  and  wliere?  6.  How  many  persons  did  he  raise  from 
the  dead?  7.  What  was  the  great  event  of  Sunday  of  Passion 
week?  8.  What  was  the  great  event  of  Monday?  9.  Who  met 
Jesus  when  he  entered  the  temple  Tuesday  morning,  and  with 
what  demand  ?  10.  What  three  parables  did  he  deliver  that  rnorn- 
ing?  11.  What  three  questions  were  put  to  him?  12.  What 
counter  question  did  he  propose?  13.  What  chp^gesdid  he  make 
against  the  sorib(JS  and  Phuriscos?  14.  Tc  >vhat  two  great 
events  did  he  refer  as  he  sat  with  his  disciples  on  the  mount  of 
Olives?  15.  What  parablec  did  be  speak  at  that  time?  16. 
Where  did  he  then  go? 


VI 


ibelUon; 
the  cour 
s  which 
IS  warn'- 
le  judg- 
uu  shall 
iided  his 
{ethany. 


1:1-14: 


2.  Name 

3.  Trace 
ithdrawal 
,h,  Caper- 
^rent  with 
inointed? 
•aise  from 
f  Passion 
Who  met 
and  with 
at  morn-' 
-^.  What 
he  iniiko 

Avo  great 
mount  of 
me?    16. 


K.:;j   i:     .   i*. 


i'r  ..  i.-. 


..-    •).;•■••••;■ 


XXIX. 


THE  LAST  DAYS  OP  PASSION  WEEK. 

Thnrsday.— When  Jesus  left  the  temple  on  Tuesday  his 
teaching  mission  to  the  Jews  was  at  an  end.  Wednesday  he 
rested.  Thursday  he  taught  his  disciples.  Friday  he  died. 
Saturday  he  lay  in  the  tomb. 

Peter  and  John,  who  were  selected  by  Jesus  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  the  paschal  supper,  probably  went  into  Jerusalem 
about  midday.  A  room  was  put  at  their  disposal,  as  Jesus 
had  directed  and  predicted.  Then  they  went  to  the  temple 
for  the  paschal  lamb.  This  they  killed,  and  having  observed 
all  the  rites  belonging  to  the  occasion,  went  to  the  house 
where  they  were  to  eat,  bearing  the  lamb  upon  tlieir  shoulders. 
It  has  been  conjectured,  not  unreasonably,  that  the  supper 
was  eaten  in  the  house  of  John  Mark's  parents? 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  as  we  suppose,  Jesus 
and  the  other  ten  disciples  came  into  the  city,  and  made  their 
way  to  the  supper  room,  where  Peter  and  John  were  com- 
pleting the  preparations  for  the  solemn  and  joyous  meal. 
Judas  was  in  the  company,  attaching  his  pei-son  as  closely  to 
the  apostolic  group  as  if  his  heart  had  not  forever  departed 
from  his  Lord,  As  the  twelve  were  taking  their  places  around 
the  table,  some  of  them  betrayed  a  childish  and  shameful 
pride.  Forgetting,  or  failing  to  realize,  the  siiadow  which  had 
fallen  upon  the  heart  of  Jesus,  they  began  to  scramble  for  the 
places  of  honor  at  his  right  and  left.  There  is  reason  to 
believe  that  Judas,  though  he  had  alrendy  determined  to 
betray  Jesus,  seized  and  held  one  of  the  chief  seu<H,  by  which 
he  revealed  his  imperious  ambition  and  scanduious  hypocrisy. 

During  the  supper,  Jesus,  by  washi.ig  the  disciples'  feet, 

M  177 


r   .„; 


I! 


178 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


taught  tdem  once  more  the  lesson  of  which  their  recent  con- 
tention showed  their  great  need.  As  this  gracious,  humble 
ceremony  proceeded,  the  heart  of  the  Son  of  God  was  bowed 
down  with  grief,  for  he  remembered  with  agony  of  soul  that 
for  one  >f  the  twelve  this  symbolic  cleansing  had  no  meaning. 
"  Ye  are  clean  ;  but,"  and  there  was  a  world  of  regret  in  the 
word,  "not  all." 

Rising  from  the  feet  washing,  he  resumed  his  place  at  the 
table,  and  the  supper  proceeded.  But  the  gloom  of  his  spirit 
deepened.  Too  troubled  at  length  to  contain  his  anguish,  he 
said,  "One  of  j'ou  shall  betray  me."  Cois founded  and  ap- 
palled, the  disciples  could  only  look  at  each  other  in  doubt  and 
consternation.  At  length  they  each  began  to  ask,  "  Is  it  I  ?  " 
And  while  others^  full  of  self-doubt,  are  putting  the  qrestion 
tremblingly,  Judas  turns  and  says  with  matchless  impudence, 
"Lord,  is  it  I?" 

Not  long  after  the  traitor  leaves  the  supper.  John,  record- 
ing this,  adds  significantly,  "And  it  was  night."  For  the 
traitor  it  was  night  indeed.  In  that  hour  he  forsook  the  Light 
of  the  world  and  passed  by  the  pathway  of  unrestrained  greed 
into  the  night  of  betrayal,  remorse,  suicide,  and  perdition. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  paschal  supper  the  Lord's  Supper 
was  instituted.  For  generations  the  former  had  spoken  to  the 
Jews  of  that  Egyptian  night  when  by  the  slaying  of  the  lamb 
they  had  defended  their  firstborn  from  death  ;  the  latter 
should  speak  to  his  disciples,  of  all  generations  and  lands, 
"  until  he  come,"  of  the  death  of  the  Lamb  of  God  to  save  a 
world  exposed  to  the  divine  wrath. 

The  farewell  discourses  which  Jesus  addressed  to  his  dis- 
ciples that  night  are  of  incomparable  sweetness.  "Let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled,"  he  said  to  them,  as  the  desolateness 
of  their  approaching  situation  weighed  them  down.  Tenderly 
he  corrected  their  misconceptions  ;  chided  their  dullness ; 
described  their  vital  relations  to  him ;  foretold  theii'  future 
conflicts ;  and  promised  them  the  Comforter.      "It  is  expe- 


i-'   ;, 


THE  LAST  DAYS  OP   PASSION   WEEK. 


179i 


dient  for  you  that  I  go  away :  for  if  I  go  not  away  the  Com- 
forter will  not  come  unto  you,  but  if  I  go  I  will  send  him  unto 
you."  Concluding  his  discourse,  he  said,  "These  things  have 
I  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might  have  peace.  In  the 
world  ye  have  tribulation  :  but  be  of  good  cheer ;  I  have 
overcome  the  world." 

When  the  discourses  were  ended,  Jesus  prayed.  That 
prayer  is  written  in  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  John.  What 
love  is  there  !  What  compassion  !  In  his  thoughts  he 
weaves  into  one  the  Father,  himself,  and  all  who  by  faith  have 
become  his  own  or  shall  believe  his  name. 

Friday. — 1.  Gethsemane.  After  offering  the  intercessory 
prayer,  Jesus  took  the  twelve  and,  crossing  Kidron,  went  into 
a  garden  called  Gethsemane,  a  quiet  and  retired  place  to 
which  he  had  often  gone  probably  for  rest  and  praj'er  with 
his  disciples.  "Sit  ye  here,  while  I  pray,"  said  he  to  the 
eight  disciples  as  he  entered  the  garden,  and  taking  with  him 
Peter,  James,  and  John,  he  went  apart,  as  we  suppose,  into 
the  darkest  part  of  the  place.  These  three  men  had  been 
with  him  when  he  raised  the  daughter  of  Jairus  to  life,  and 
when  he  was  transfigured  ;  now  they  will  be  near  him  in  the 
culminating  agony  of  Gethsemane.  The  hour  of  his  arrest 
was  near.  The  torture  and  anguish  of  Calvary  were  moving 
swiftly  upon  his  soul.  He  would  pray,  and  he  must  pray 
alone.  Even  tlie  favorite  three  cannot  share  fully  the  horrors 
of  that  hour  of  wrestling.  "  Abide  j'e  here,"  he  said  to  them, 
"and  watch."  Then  as  he  went  forward  and  fell  upon  his 
face  he  began  to  pray  for  relief  from  the  terrible  suffering 
■which  was  now  beginning  to  work  death  in  him.  "  If  it  be  pos- 
sible, let  this  cup  pass,"  he  prays  again  and  again.  It  is  the 
hour  of  his  final  temptation.  It  is  the  hour  of  human  shrink- 
ing from  immeasurable  pain.  But  he  who  defeated  Satan  three 
years  before  in  the  wilderness  is  again  the  victor.  "  Never- 
theless, not  my  will  but  thine  be  done,"  is  his  conquering  cry. 
The  place  is  dark  with  shadows.     The  ground  is  wet  with  his 


180 


^^m'    THE  WFU.OF  JiSSUS. 


i'lii! 


!i 


tears  and  the  sweat  wliich  has  fallen  like  great  drops  of  blood 
from  his  face.  A  worn  and  solitary  figure,  he  has  borne  the 
supreme  test  of  his  terrible  conflict. 

The  three,  weary  with  watching  and  recent  cares,  had  fallen 
asleep.  The  eight  were  probably  beyond  hearing  of  his 
groans  and  low  cries.  The  one,  the  dreadful  traitor,  was  at 
the  head  of  a  company  sent  forth  to  arrest  the  Lord. 

*' Behold  he  that  betruyeth  me  is  at  hand,"  is  the  word 
"which  drives  all  drowsiness  from  the  eyes  cf  the  disciples. 
Listening  they  hear  the  tramp  of  many  feet,  and  see  the 
gleam  of  lanterns  and  torches.  Then  Judas  strides  forward 
lind  kisses  Jesus,  as  if  to  declare  his  devotion.  It  is  the  signal 
of  identification ;  and  the  officers  go  toward  Jesus  to  put  him 
under  arrest ;  but  at  first,  as  if  seized  by  a  mighty  invisible 
hand,  they  are  thrown  backward  and  fall  upon  the  ground. 
Peter,  in  his  impulsive  courage,  ready  single-handed  to  fight 
the  whole  mob,  draws  his  sword  and  cuts  oflF  the  ear  of  Mal- 
clius,  a  servant  of  the  high  priest.  But  he  is  rebuked  by 
Jesus,  who  heals  the  wound,  and  then  surrenders  himself  to 
the  arresting  party.  At  this  the  disciples,  seized  with  panic, 
scatter  and  hide,  the  trees  and  darkness  making  concealment 
easy.  Even  Peter,  who  a  few  hours  before  when  all  were 
protesting  that  they  would  never  forsake  their  Master  had 
exceeded  all  others  in  his  declarations  of  fidelity,  seeks  to  save 
himself  by  flight,  but  very  soon  recovers  himself  and  begins 
to  follow  the  crowd  as  they  lead  Jesus  into  Jerusalem.  There 
he  will  come  as  close  to  his  Master  as  ho  dares  while  the  trial 
progresses;  and  there  too.  in  an  hour  of  panic  he  will  deny 
his  Lord ;  and  then  he  will  go  out  and  weep  bitterly  ;  and 
from  his  weeping  will  enter  upon  a  discipleship  immeasurably 
nobler  than  that  which  is  past. 

2.  The  Jewish  Trial  Jesus  was  taken  first  to  the  palace 
cf  Annas,  ex-high  priest  and  father-in-law  of  Caiaphas,  the 
high  priest  then  in  office.  Annas  sent  him  still  bound  to 
Caiaphas — where  an   informal  meeting  of  Sanhedrists  was 


THE  LAST  DAYS  OP  PASSION    WEEK. 


181 


)alace 

the 

md  to 

Is  "waa 


held  ;  md  though  nothing  could  be  done  legally  fur  his  con- 
demnatiuu  at  this  mectin";,  various  charges  vrere  made  by 
many  witnesses,  who,  for  malice  or  pay,  sought  to  dcHtroy 
him.      «'-i-i     .'   vi?:"i.;".v  J.i'  .;y  r.   ..•'- ■•'•■^';  .?  ...■:^;  ^H.v'.rM 

:!;When  all  this  false  testimony  had  failed,  a  charge  was 
made  based  upon  his  an  jwer  to  those  who  demanded  a  sign 
from  him  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  cleansing  of  the  temple. 

But  even  these  witnesses  failed  to  agree.  Then  the  high 
priest,  turning  to  Jesus,  adjured  him  solemnly  to  answer 
whether  he  was  the  M  ?ssiah :  "  Art  thou  the  Christ,  the  Son 
of  the  Blessed?  "  Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  prisoner,  as 
he  answered  calmly,  "  I  am."  This  was  enough.  "  Ye  have 
heard  the  blasphemy;  what  think  ye?"  asked  the  high  priest. 
"And  they  all  condemned  him  to  be  worthy  of  death."  Then 
followed  a  scandalous  scone.  Some  spat  on  him,  others  cuffed 
him,  others  derided  him.  The  shame  of  it  no  pen  can  de- 
scribe. •''*^ 

3.  The  Roman  Trial  Early  in  the  morning  the  Sanhedria 
met  to  decide  upon  their  next  step.  They  had  not  authority 
to  put  a  person  to  death  and  therefore  must  put  the  case  into 
the  hands  of  the  llomar  jovornor.  Before  him,  however,  the 
accusation  upon  which  they  had  condemned  Jesus  would  have 
no  weight,  as  it  related  entirely  to  their  peculiar  Jewish 
religion  and  hopes.  When,  therefore,  they  had  brought  him 
before  Pilate,  and  he,  dissatisfied  with  their  firet  vague  charge, 
had  told  them  plainly  i  hat  he  would  not  proceed  with  the 
trial  unless  something  more  definite  was  adduced,  they  pre- 
sented the  three-fold  accusation,  "  We  find  this  man  pervert- 
ing our  nation,  and  forbidding  to  give  tribute  to  Caesar,  and  . 
saying  that  he  himself  is  Christ,  a  King."  The  falsity  of 
these  charges  Pilate  probuJy  guessed  as  he  noticed  the  ac- 
cusers' new  and  very  suspicious  zeal  fur  Caesar  and  Rome ; 
and  after  a  brief  inquiry  hu  turned  to  the  priests  and  the 
multitude,  saying,  "I  find  no  fault  in  this  man."  To  this 
they  answered  by  a  ''"luge  of  accusations,  in  which  he  dis- 


182 


THE   LIFE  OF   JESUS. 


covered  that  Jesus  was  from  tlio  province  of  liaiilee.  Hoping, 
therefore,  to  escape  from  tiie  necessity  pf  proceeding  turtlier 
with  the  case,  he  scut  him  to  Hero  J,  tetrarch  of  Galilee,  who 
had  come  up  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  feast.  But  though 
Ilcrod,  pleased  with  this  attention  from  Pilate,  with  whom 
some  time  previously  he  had  a  quarrel,  and  curious  to  see 
Jesus,  of  whom  he  had  heard  much,  tried  to  induce  the 
prisoner  to  perform  a  miracle  or  answer  a  (juestion,  Jesus 
stood  in  absolute  silence  before  him,  unmoved  both  by  the 
tetrarch's  questioning  and  by  the  clamor  of  the  chief  priests, 
who  had  followed  to  accuse  him.  Unable  to  persuade  Jesus 
to  amuse  him  with  signs  and  wonders,  Ilerod,  with  his  sol- 
diers, amused  himself  by  mocking  and  insulting  him  ;  and  hav- 
ing arrayed  him  in  "gorgeous  apparel,"  he  sent  him  back  to 
Pilate. 

On  the  feast  day  it  was  the  custom  to  set  free  one  prisoner, 
and  tln(,  privilege  of  choice  as  to  who  that  should  be  was 
givth  •','}  Uie  people.  Pilate,  knowing,  doubtless,  that  Jesus 
li;)/i  hen  popular  with  the  multitude,  thought  he  saw  in  this 
a  mtan';  of  securing  his  release.  He  would  let  the  people 
choose  him  for  release  that  day.  But  the  enemies  of  Jesus 
had  been  too  shrewd.  Probably  suspecting  that  he  might 
resort  to  this  plan,  they  had  their  in.\  rmidoiis  scattered 
through  the  crowd,  and  these,  when  Pilate  made  the  propo- 
sition to  release  Jesus,  raised  the  cry,  "Away  with  tliis 
man,  and  release  unto  us  Barabbas."  "What  shall  I  do 
with  Jesus?  "  he  asked.     "  Crucify  him,"  they  bawled. 

Pilate  hated  the  Jewish  leaders,  and  was  reluctant  to 
gratify  their  spite  at  the  expense  of  this  man,  for  whom  he 
could  not  but  feel  sympathy.  This  reluctance  was  increased 
by  the  pleading  of  his  wife  on  Jesus'  behalf  But  when  he 
attempted  again  to  turn  the  Jews  from  their  purpose,  he  was 
met  with  such  a  storm  of  demands,  accusations,  and  threats, 
that  he  gave  up  the  argument ;  but  that  he  might  record 
again  his  solemn  protest  against  the  iniquity  of  their  decision, 


t  } 


THE    LA^T   DAYS  OF   PASSIdN    WEEK. 


183 


he  washed  liis  hands  before  th*^  people,  saying,  "  I  am  inno- 
cent of  the  blood  of  this  it  sclit  iiU8  man  ;  seeyetoit."  "His 
blood  be  on  us,  and  on  ourcliildren,"  they  shrieked,  uiud  with 
the  fierce  delight  (^f  tl  *ir  triu'upli. 


Wiien  the  scon  gii 
the  soldiers  subjected  I 
ing,   bruised  bod.v 
thorns,  they  hailca  .  lu 
hands.     Pihite,  hard  ui 


eh  preceded  crucifixion  was  over, 
mockery.  Dressing  his  blced- 
i  p"vpie,  and  crowning  him  with 
n^i  and  buffeted  hiiu  with  tluir 
ugh  he  was,  would  riot  let  him 
go  to  the  cross  without  one  more  efiort  to  save  him.  Think- 
ing that  if  the  people  saw  him  now  tiieir  hearts  would  relent, 
he  led  him  forth,  the  crown  of  thorns  upon  him,  and  his 
clothes  all  stained«with  blood  from  the  scourging,  and  said  to 
the  multitude,  "  Behold,  the  man  !  "  Had  the  people  been 
left  alone  in  that  hour,  it  may  be  that  they  would  have  cried 
out  for  his  release,  but  when  the  chief  priest  and  ofiicers 
saw  him,  they  instantly  began  to  cry,  "  Crucify  him,  crucify 
him."  They  who  had  hated  him  in  his  innocence,  are  now 
unmoved  by  his  sufferings.  Unto  the  last  he  is  despised  and 
rejected  of  men,  and  Pilate  delivers  him  to  be  crucified. 

4.  The  Cmcifixwn.  On  the  way  to  Calvary,  Simon  of 
Cyrene  bears  Jesus'  cross,  rudely  compelled  by  the  soldiers. 
Jesus,  weak  from  recent  labors,  sufferings,  and  loss  of  blood, 
can  scarcely  carry  himself  to  the  sad  place  of  death.  And 
yet  only  five  days  before,  he  had  entered  Jerusalem,  followed 
by  thousands  who  hailed  him  with  royal  honors  and  joyous 
shouts  of  "  Hosanna  !  " 

At  Calvary  they  placed  the  cross  upon  the  ground,  and 
having  stretched  the  body  of  Jesus  upon  it,  nailed  him  there. 
Then  the  cross,  with  its  suffering  burden,  was  raised  to  its 
place.  As  the  soldiers  performed  their  terrible  task,  and  the 
torture  of  the  nails  became  great,  Jesus  cried  "Father,  for- 
give them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do."  Six  other 
times  he  spoke  before  he  died.  When  one  of  the  thieves  who 
were  crucified  with  him,   repenting,   prayed  to  him,  Jesus 


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THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


answered,  ^^Veiily  I  say  unto  you,  to-day  shalt  thou  le  tvith 
me  in  paradise."  Then,  seeing  his  mother  and  John  in  the 
group  of  those  who  watched  him  in  his  agonies,  he  said  to 
her,  '^  Woman,  behold  thy  son,"  and  to  him,  ^^  Behold  thy 
mother,"  thus  providing  for  her  future  support  and  protection. 
It  was  three  o'clock  when  the  watchers  vere  startled  by  the 
cry,  "My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me."  Then 
a  moment  after,  feeling  the  torture  of  the  fever  of  the  cruci- 
fixion, he  cried,  "  I  thirst."  "  It  is  finished,"  was  the  word 
of  triumph  with  which  be  declared  the  end  at  hand ;  and  then 
with  tbo  cry,  *'  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit," 
the  end  came.  From  noon  until  three  o'clock,  the  earth  had 
been  shrouded  in  darkness,  and  at  his  death,  Jerusalem  was 
shaken  by  an  earthquake  so  severe  that  great  rocks  were  reni 
asunder.  And  mofit  significant  of  all,  as  the  life  of  Jesus 
passed  out  of  his  spent  body,  the  veil,  which  in  the  temple 
concealed  the  holy  of  holies  from  all  eyes,  was  rent  from  top 
to  bottom. 

That  night,  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  aided  by  Nicodemui^, 
having  obtained  permission  to  bury  the  body,  came  and  took 
it  down  from  the  cross.  Reverently  they  wrapped  the  muti- 
lated corpse  in  linen  and  bore  it  away  to  a  tomb  which  had 
been  hewn  out  of  a  rock  in  a  garden  not  far  from  the  place  of 
crucifixion.  A  great  stone  was  rolled  before  th6  door  of  thd 
tomb,  upon  which  later  the  seal  of  Bomo  was  put  by  the 
Jews,  vyho  feared  that  the  disciples  would  steal  the  body  and 
then  declare  that  he  had  risen  from  the  dead,  as  he  had  fore- 
told that  he  would  do ;  and  to  make  sure  of  the  body,  in 
addition  to  the  protection  of  the  seal,  they  placed  before  the 
door  of  the  tomb,  a  guard  of  Roman  soldiers.  -  fZ-Siaf 

>  The  Jews  are  victorious.  Judas,  the  detestable  traitor,  has 
committed  suicide,  and  they  have  nothing  to  dread  from  his 
cold  lips.  The  others  of  the  twelve  are  scattered.  Jesus, 
whom  they  have  hunted  relentlessly  for  many  months,  is  at 
last  dead,  and  a  guard  sits  before  his  tomb,  waiting  until  his 


THE  LAST  DAYS  OP  PASSIOX   WE£K. 


185 


body  has  turned  to  dust.  They  have  had  their  way,  and  they 
will  not  now  allow  the  dread  portents  of  the  day  of  crucifixion 
to  rob  them  of  their  fierce  exultation. 

Related  Scripture.— Matt  26 :  17-27  :  66 ;  Mark  14  :  la- 
16  :  47 ;  Luke  22  :  7-28  :  66 ;  John  13  :  1-19  :  42. 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  Christ's  agony  in  the  garden.  2.  Describe  the  ar- 
rest. 3.  Where  was  he  first  taken?  4.  What  accusations  were 
made  when  he  was  before  Caiaphas?  6.  What  charge  was  made 
against  him  before  Pilate?  6.  By  what  methods  did  Pilate 
seek  to  escape  the  necessity  of  condemning  him?  7.  Bepeat 
the  "  Seven  Words  "  spoken  by  Jesus  while  on  the  cross.  8.  By 
whom  was  he  buried  ? 


Id 
le 


REVIEW  QUESTIONS. 

1.  On  how  many  occasions  did  Nicodemus  show  interest  in 
Jesus?  ^  Repeat  in  order  the  events  of  Passion  week.  3.  Make 
a  list  of  the  miracles  and  commit  it  to  memory ;  also  of  the  par* 
ables.  4.  Make  a  list  of  the  occasions  on  which  Jesus  was  ac- 
cused of  violating  the  Sabbath.  6.  Narrate  aloud  the  history  of 
John  the  Baptist.  6  How  many  Galileans  were  there  among 
the  twelve  ?  Name  them.  7.  Where  did  Jesus  spend  the  nights 
of  Passion  week? 
..  ■  = , -^  -     ■  ,'--'  ".,  .  -,  -  '■■''-  ■  .'-  -/y'' 


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•'-"'         ■'       -^  K     '  '•'R^'     ''/'=:'•    ■-'■■J-'i\j-M^:'\-lt<'^  ^'''''"^'i(■^:■jf'^''\h\■ 


"■■',*'»  ■■"<■..' 


XXX. 


THE  FORTY  DAYS. 

The  Besnrreotion. — Not  one  in  all  the  world  expected 
Jesus  to  rise  from  the  dead.  When  Joseph  and  Nicodenius 
laid  him  in  the  tomb,  they  prepared  the  corpse  with  ''a  mix- 
ture of  myrrh  and  aloes,"  as  was  customary  in  burying  bodies 
which  would  soon  decay.  The  women  also  who  went  early  to 
tlte  tomb  Sunday  morning,  carried  spices  to  complete  the  em- 
balming, which  they  thought  had  been  imperfectly  done  in 
the  confusion  and  liaste  of  Friday.  The  disciples,  for  their 
part,  were  so  certain  that  he  would  not  rise  from  the  dead, 
that  when  credible  evidence  of  his  resurrection  was  given,  at 
first  they  would  not  accept  it.  As  for  his  enemies,  though 
they  knew  that  he  had  predicted  his  resurrection,  tl  ^y  be- 
lieved it  to  have  been  the  foolish  boast  of  a  fanatic  or  de- 
ceiv 

I  the  first  his  own  disciples,  even  the  twelve,  had  not 
under&itood  his  prophecy  respecting  the  resurrection.  Just 
what  interpretation  they  gave  to  his  words,  it  is  not  possible 
for  us  at  this  distance  to  discover  ;  but  that  his  bodily  resur- 
rection  on  the  third  day  was  a  vast  surprise  to  them  is  clearly 
shown  by  the  sacred  narrative. 

For  forty  days  Jesus  remained  on  the  earth  after  his  resur- 
rection, and  then  ascended  to  heaven  and  sat  down  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  Father.  In  these  forty  daj's  he  "  showed 
himself  alive  ...  by  many  proofs,  .  .  .  and  speaking  to 
them  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God."  The  evidence  of  hia 
resurrection  needed  to  be  conclusive ;  it  was  conclusive.  His 
disciples  needed  special  charges  that  they  might  know  how  to 
apply  the  teachings  of  his  three  years'  ministry ;  these  he 
186 


THE  FORTY  DAYS. 


187 


2sur- 
light 
)wed 
ig  to 
if  his 
Bis 
^w  to 
he 


gave  with  such  clearness  that  soon  after  his  ascension  these 
''witnesses"  were  found  preaching  his  gospel  with  singular 
fidelity,  intelligence,  and  spirituality.  By  his  death  they  were 
discouraged  and  scattered ;  his  resurrection  drew  them  to- 
gether again,  and  this  great  fact  became  tho  departing  point 
of  a  faith  at  once  remarkable  and  divinely  fruitful. 

Nothing  less  than  the  appearance  of  Jesus  in  bodily  form 
can  now  rescue  the  disciples  from  the  p.iinful  bewilderment 
into  which  they  have  been  cast  by  the  discoveries  and  events 
of  the  morning  ;  and  his  great  compassion  for  them  in  their 
grief  and  anxiety  hastens  the  evidence  which  alone  can  drive 
their  fears  and  doubts  away. 

The  First  Appearances.—!.  After  Mary  Magdalene  ha<l 
told  Peter  and  John  of  her  discovery  at  the  tomb,  she  re- 
turned more  slowly  than  thej%  and,  when  she  reached  the 
sepulchre,  found  it  deserted.  As  she  stood  there  weep- 
ing, believing  that  the  body  had  been  removed  to  some  other 
place,  she  saw  before  her  a  man  whom  she  took  to  be  the  gar- 
dener. "  Woman,"  said  he,  "why  weepest  thou?  Whom 
seekest  thou?  "  "Sir,"  she  answered,  '  if  thou  hast  bonn 
him  hence,  tell  me  where  thou  hast  laid  him."  "Mary," 
answered  the  man.  And  instantly  she  knew  that  it  was  her 
Lord  who  had  spoken.  "Rabboni,"  she  cried,  in  the  full 
faith  and  ecstacy  of  recognition. 

2.  While  certain  of  the  women  were  making  their  way 
back  into  the  city,  after  their  vision  of  angels,  speaking  to 
each  other  doubtless,  in  low,  awestruck  tones,  they  heard 
tlve  word,  "All  hail,"  and  looking  up,  saw  before  them 
Jesus  himself 

Overcome  by  wonder  and  terror,  they  fell  upon  their  faces 
and  worshiped  him  ;  whereupon  he  said  to  them,  "Fear  not ; 
go  tell  my  brethren  that  they  depart  into  Galilee,  and  there 
shall  they  see  me." 

3.  Later  in  the  day,  two  disciples,  one  of  whom  was  Cleo- 
pas,  and  the  other  probably  Luke,  the  writer  of  the  third 


188 


THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Gospel,  had  occasion  to  go  from  Jerusalem  to  Emmans. 
Uefore  they  started,  they  heard  the  report  of  the  visit  of 
Peter  and  John  to  the  tomb,  and  of  the  vision  of  angels  seen 
by  the  women  ;  and  as  they  walked,  they  conversed  sadly  and 
earnestly  concerning  all  these  matters  which  concerned  them 
BO  vitally  and  stirred  them  so  deeply.  While  they  were  still 
questioning  with  each  other,  Jesus  joined  them,  but  ^Hheir 
eyes  were  holden,"  and  they  thought  liim  a  stranger.  When 
thuy  told  him,  in  reply  to  his  inquiry,  why  they  were  sad,  ho 
began  to  interpret  to  them  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures,  and 
showed  that  the  things  which  had  happened  to  Jesus  were 
such  things  as  the  prophets  had  declared  must  happen  to  the 
Christ.  Cleopas  and  Luke  listened  with  burning  hearts,  but 
while  they  admired  tand  wondered,  not  yet  did  they  know 
him.  Not  until  they  had  gathered  about  the  table  for  the 
evening  meal,  and  he,  being  their  guest  by  constraint  of  their 
urgent  invitation,  blessed  the  bread  and  brake  it  and 'gave  to 
them  in  the  old  familiar  manner,  were  their  eyes  opened. 
The  moment  they  recognized  him,  he  vanished.  """ 

4.  These  two  disciples,  as  soon  as  they  knew  that  it  was 
Jesus  who  had  been  their  companion  on  the  way,  hastened 
back  to  Jerusalem  to  tell  the  apostles  what  they  had  seen. 
But  before  they  could  reach  the  city,  Peter  had  reported  to 
the  apostolic  company  that  Jesus  bad  appeared  to  him.  As 
soon,  therefore,  as  Cleopas  and  Luke  entered  the  room  they 
e.igerly  told  of  this.  Then  "  they  rehearsed  the  things  that 
happened  in  the  way,  and  how  he  was  known  of  them-  in  the 
breaking  of  bread. " 

5.  Strangely  excited,  the  whole  company  of  npostles  and 
other  disciples  remained  together  during  the  evening,  discuss- 
ing the  events  of  the  day.  They  dared  not  believe  that  it  was 
more  than  a  spectre  which  had  been  seen,  and  they  were 
unable  to  conjecture  what  all  these  visions  might  portend. 
As  they  talked,  Jesus  himself,  though  the  door  was  shut,  ap- 
peared suddenly  before  them,  and  said,   "Peace  be  unto 


THE  FORTY  DAY^. 


181 


M 


was 

sned 

leen. 
to 
As 

they 

[that 
tlie 

land 
tuss- 
IwaS 
rero 
jtid. 
ap- 
mto 


yon."  Believing  that  a  ghost  had  appeared  to  them,  they 
were  terrified.  "Why  are  ye  troubled  ?"  he  asked,  as  he  ob- 
served their  terror.  Then,  showing  them  his  hands  and  his 
feet,  and  eating  before  them,  he  proved  that  it  was  not  a 
spectre  upon  which  their  startled  eyes  were  looking,  but  a  liv- 
ing body.  Having  removed  all  doubts  from  their  minds  in  re- 
gard to  his  identity,  he  reminded  them  of  the  teachings  which 
they  had  failed  to  apprehend  before  his  cnicii'xion,  that  they 
might  the  better  understand  the  marvels  which  this  resurrec- 
tion day  had  brought  forth. 

Other  Appearances.— 1.  When  Thomas,  who  waa  not 
present  when  Jesus  made  his  first  appearance  to  the  apostolic 
group,  was  told  by  the  others  that  they  had  seen  the  I  ord, 
ho  declared  that  until  he  had  touched  the  print  of  the  nails 
in  Jesus'  hands  and  the  open  wounds  in  his  side,  he  would 
not  believe  that  that  which  had  appeared  was  really  the  body 
which  was  crucified.  One  week  later  he  had  an  op|;  ortunity 
to  make  the  test  which  he  had  declared  necessary  to  prove 
the  resurrection.  While  they  were  all  together,  Jesus  appeared 
before  them  ns  suddenly  as  on  the  fornrer  occasion  and, 
standing  before  Thomas,  said  to  him,  "Reach  hither  thy 
finger,  and  see  my  hands  ;  and  reach  hither  thy  hand  and  put 
it  into  my  side;  and  be  not  faithless,  but  believing.  Al- 
though Thomas  had  been  slow  to  credit  the  resurrection, 
as  soon  as  he  found  the  proof  ample,  his  faith  rose  to  a 
sublime  height,  and  he  cried  adoringly,  "My  Lord  and 
my  God. 

2.  A  third  appearance  to  the  apostles  as  a  body  occurred 
on  the  shore  of  the  sea  of  Galilee.  Seven  were  present, 
Peter  being  among  the  number.  On  this  occasion,  Jesus,  by 
a  miracle,  supplied  the  disciples  with  food.  Thrice  he  asked 
Peter  the  searching  question,  "Lovest  thou  me?"  until 
at  length,  this  penitent  backslider,  fretted  into  an  agony  of 
grief  by  the  Lord's  apparent  doubt  of  his  devotion,  cried  out, 
"Lord,  thou  knowest  all  things;  thou  knowest  that  I  love 


190 


THE  LIFE  OP  JESUS. 


thee."  Then  to  this  great  apostle,  brought  now  by  the 
chastening  of  failure  and  bitter  repentance  into  a  nobler  life 
than  he  had  known  before,  he  gave  special  injunctions  in 
regard  to  the  work  which  he  must  do,  and  the  death  which  ho 
must  die,  fur  Jesus'  sake. 

3.  When  Jesus  appeared  to  the  eleven  on  a  mountain  in 
Galilee,  he  gave  them  anew  the  commands  and  commissions 
which  related  to  their  future  work.  On  a  Galilean  mountain 
he  had  preached  that  ''Sermon  on  the  Mount,"  at  the  time 
of  the  choosing  of  the  twelve,  in  which  he  set  forth  the 
ethical  principles  and  the  promise  of  his  kingdom  :  now  he 
commands  his  apostles  to  go  forth  into  the  world  and  establish 
that  kingdom  among  men,  teacliiiig  them  to  observe  all  things 
whatsoever  he  had, commanded.  If  on  that  earlier  day  their 
thought  included  Palestine  only,  on  this  day  it  must  include 
the  world  ;  if  then  they  saw  Jews  only,  now  they  must  see  all 
nations.  It  may  be  that  on  this  occasion  the  ''five  hundred 
brethren,"  of  whom  Paul  writes  in  1  Cor.  15  :  6,  were  present 
with  the  apostles,  as  the  "  multitudes"  had  been  with  them 
when  he  delivered  the  sermon  on  the  Mount. 

4.  After  tiiis,  as  Paul  states,  Jesus  appeared  to  James — his 
own  brother  James,  as  we  suppose ;  and  perhaps  it  was  on 
this  day  that  there  began  that  devout  faith  which  afterward 
distinguished  this  great  and  noble  man. 

5.  At  length  the  time  of  Jesus'  departure  has  come.  It  is 
the  fortieth  day,  and  he  must  ascend  to  God.  There  shall  be 
no  vision  of  fiery  chariot  and  rushing  steed  ;  no  clamor  of 
quaking  earth  and  rending  rocks  ;  no  awful  silence.  "  Peace  I 
leave  with  you,"  he  had  said  before  his  death.  In  the  sub- 
limity of  quietness  and  peace  the  ascension  should  occur. 

The  day  is  spent  in  teaching.  Nothing  new  is  communi- 
cated, but  by  the  reiteration  of  former  commands  and  promises 
he  draws  the  disciples  nearer  to  their  solemn  duties  and  ex- 
alted privileges.  He  tells  them  that  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  is  near;  that  on  that  baptismal  day  power  shall  be 


THE  FORTY  DAYS. 


M 


litis 
lube 
of 
\ce  I 
Isub- 

luni- 
lises 
ex- 
[oly 
i\  be 


given  to  them  ;  and  that  then  they  shall  go  fort  ii  to  conquer 
the  world.  They  ask  a  foolish  question,  and  are  gently  ro< 
buked.  They  wait  on  his  words ;  they  watch  him  ;  they  fol- 
low him. 

At  length  he  leads  them  out  to  Mount  Olivet,  to,  a  point 
over  against  ?>ethany.  There  he  stops.  The  disciples  gather 
about  him.  Every  ear  is  hearkening,  every  eye  is  on  him. 
Stretching  forth  his  hands,  he  blesses  these  whom  he  has 
loved  unto  the  end  ;  and,  while  he  is  blessing  them,  he  rises 
slowly  from  the  earth  and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of  their 
sight. 

"And  while  they  were  looking  steadfastly  into  heaven  as 
he  went,  behold,  two  men  stood  by  them  in  white  apparel ; 
which  also  said,  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  looking  into 
heaven  ?  this  Jesus,  wliich  was  received  up  from  you  into 
heaven,  shall  so  come  in  like  manner  as  ye  beheld  him  going 
into  heaven." 

"Amen:    Come,  Lord  Jesus,"  , 

Related  Scripturk.— Matt.  28;  Mark  16;  Luke  24;  John 
20,  21.  ^ 

QUESTIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS. 

i.  Head  carefully  the  accounts  of  the  resurrection,  and  all  that 
follows,  in  the  four  Gospels.  Read  also  Acts  1 :  1-11  and  1  Cor. 
15 :  1-11.  2.  Make  an  attempt  to  arrange  in  order  the  events  of 
the  resurrection  morning.  3,  Name  the  various  appearances, 
noting  the  particular  incidents  of  each.  4.  Describe  the 
ascension.  *'. 


ORDER  OF  EVENTS,  Lessons  XXVI-XXX. 

87.  Perean  Ministry  Continued. 

88.  Three  Parables  of  Warning.  • 

89.  Three  Parables  of  Grace 

90.  Other  Parables  and  Discourses. 

91.  The  Raising  of  Lazarus.  *       ' 

92.  Withdrawal  to  Ephraim. 


1^ 


THE  LIFE  OF  JE8U8. 


08.  Two  Miracles:  Ten  Lepers;  Bartimeus. 

04.  Four   Parables:    Importunate  Widow;    Pharisee  and 

Publican ;  Laborers  in  the  Vineyard ;  The  Pounds. 
96.  Various  Discourses  and  Incidents. 

96.  Visit  to  Zuccheus. 

97.  The  Second  Anointing  of  Jesus. 

98.  The  Triumphant  Entry. 

99.  The  Cursing  of  the  Fig  Tree. 

100.  Second  Cleansing  of  the  Temple. 

101.  Authority  of  Jesus  Challenged. 

102.  Three  Parables  of  Warning. 
106.  Three  Insidious  Questions. 
104.  Jesus'  Unanswerable  Question. 

106.  The  Solemn  Discourse  Against  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 

106.  The  Widow's  Mites. 

107.  Greeks  Seeking  Jesus. 

106.  Discourse 'Concerning  the  Destruction  of  Jerusalem  and 
the  Bnd  of  the  World. 

109.  Judas  Conspires  with  the  Chief  Priests. 

110.  Last  Supper. 

111.  The  Farewell  Discourses. 
112i  The  Intercessory  Prayer. 
118.  Gethsemane. 

114.  Betrayal  and  Arrest 
116.  The  Jewish  Trial. 

116.  The  Koman  Trial. 

117.  The  Crucifixion. 

118.  The  Burial. 

119.  The  Watch  at  the  Sepulchre. 

120.  The  Besurrection :    Visit  to  the  Tomb. 
121   The  Beport  of  the  Watch. 

122.  The  First  Appearances. 
128.  The  Later  Appearances. 
124.  The  Ascension. 


t  ( 


ariaoe  and 
»ound». 


Pharisees, 
lem  and 


